Canadian side, The Montreal Roses, have announced the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Evelyn Badu, an elite player who joins the club after a career start marked by continental distinctions and experience in several of the best European leagues.
At 23, Badu is among the most decorated young players in Africa. In 2022, she became the first player in history to simultaneously win the Best Young Player and Best Interclub Player awards at the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards – the highest individual accolades in African soccer. These honors capped a spectacular performance in the inaugural CAF Champions League in 2021, where she scored five goals to win the competition’s Golden Boot and lead her club, Hasaacas Ladies, to the final.
Badu’s journey then took her to Europe, where she played in Norway with Avaldsnes IL and Molde FK, as well as in the French first division with FC Fleury 91. Versatile, she can play as an attacking midfielder or on the wings, bringing creativity, vision of the game and a goalscoring instinct.
On the international stage, Badu has represented Ghana in major African competitions, including the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Black Queens won the bronze medal. She has 17 caps and 10 career goals for her national team.
An official announcement by the club said: “An important addition to the Roses FC midfield which is already stacked with Charlotte Bilbault, Allie Hess, Chloe Minas, and Lisa Pechersky. ”
“After Percyesky’s acquisition, I had already questioned what effect this would have on other player like Bilbault or Felicia Roy? Now this new acquisition, its a very important and exciting one where the team has been putting more of an effort to bring in more international players compared to last year.”
“Evelyn possesses a rare combination of technical skill and top-level experience,” said Marinette Pichon, the Roses’ sporting director. “She has shone on the African continent, she has played in demanding European leagues, and she knows how to score in crucial moments. She is an intelligent player who reads the game, creates opportunities, and is able to find the right space for the final pass or finish with precision. She will bring an extra dimension to our attack and embody the winning mentality we want to develop.”
“Joining the Montreal Roses is an opportunity I’ve been waiting for,” said Badu. “Professional women’s soccer in North America is experiencing exceptional growth, and the Super League North is part of that movement. Montreal is building something ambitious, and I want to be a part of it. I can’t wait to contribute on the field and help this team reach new heights.”
With the arrival of Badu, the Roses continue building a squad aimed at competing for the SLN championship in 2026. The club now has 22 players signed for the upcoming season, combining local talent and international experience.
