'Dream come true': Jade Kovacevic makes history as 1st Northern Super League player, signs with AFC Toronto

The Northern Super League has its six founding teams with shiny new looks ahead of its kickoff next April, and now Canada's first domestic professional women's soccer league has its first player.

AFC Toronto announced Monday that Jade Kovacevic, a former Canadian youth international and League1 Ontario's all-time leading scorer, is their historic first signing.

The 30-year-old from Acton, Ont., a celebrated striker known for her knack around the net and leadership on the pitch, is the career goal-scoring leader in League1 Ontario for both men and women, with more than 170 goals. She earned five Golden Boot awards and was named most valuable player four times.

"It is a dream come true," Kovacevic told CBC Sports. "A big shout out to Diana Matheson and Christine Sinclair and the NSL for finally bringing this to Canada. There's so much talent within this nation.

"It's amazing we finally get to give these players a platform to showcase their abilities and the best part is they don't have to live out of a suitcase overseas, they get to play in front of their friends and family. That's a dream come true for any athlete."

"We're thrilled to have Jade as our first signing," said Marko Milanovic, head hoach of AFC Toronto. "She's always trained like a professional, even without a domestic league to play in, and it's that commitment, her goal-scoring ability and leadership that will help us establish our presence in the league."

Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Kovacevic played for various clubs growing up, including Georgetown, Oakville, and the Toronto Lady Lynx. But her first soccer memory was as a 10-year-old playing up an age group with the Flamborough Flames. It was her first 11-v-11 game and she scored on a