Nanaimo-born Callum Montgomery was selected 4th overall by Dallas FC in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Friday, making him the 3rd Canadian to be drafted in the top 5 in MLS history.
“It has not sunk in yet, it is a dream come true,” Montgomery said in a statement. “This is a great day for me and my family; I want to thank everyone that helped me get here.”
The former Vancouver Island Wave standout has developed his game entirely on the island, formerly leading Saint Michael’s University School to a provincial championship.
He then played four seasons for the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in NCAA Div. 1, helping them earn a national ranking in 2018 while adding 2 goals from the back line.
This past season saw Montgomery, who captains the Victoria Highlanders, accumulate multiple awards. The 6’3″ defender earned a first-team All-Star selection for Conference USA, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
He was also a semi-finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the top player in all of collegiate soccer.
Should the 21-year old continue to progress and stake a claim in Dallas FC’s roster, he could put himself on the radar for Canada’s under-23 men’s team.