Bair replaces Larin in Canada roster for friendlies in Romania, Wales

Canadian striker Cyle Larin has joined Dutch league leader Feyenoord on loan from Spain's RCD Mallorca.

The 30-year-old from Brampton, Ont., had been looking for a move after seeing his playing time dry up with Mallorca.

‘I’m very happy to be here," Larin said in a statement. "I know the history of Feyenoord, the passion of the supporters and the fact that the club always wants to compete for trophies.

"That fits perfectly with who I am, and I’m looking forward to playing for Feyenoord and working with coach Robin van Persie. He was a striker, just like me, and his presence convinced me to come to Rotterdam. I can learn a lot from him."

Van Persie scored 50 goals in 102 appearances for the Netherlands. At club level, he started and ended his playing career with Feyenoord after starring with England's Arsenal and Manchester United and Turkey's Fenerbahce.

Van Persie reportedly had been after former Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy. But the 38-year-old opted for Italy's Cremonese.

Feyenoord has won the Dutch league title 16 times, most recently in 2023. The Dutch side won the European Cup (now the Champions League) in 1970 and lifted the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) in 1974 and 2002.

Larin, who has 30 goals in 86 appearances for Canada, was called into the Canadian squad for games against Romania and Wales in the current FIFA international window. But he has been replaced by Theo Bair to be with his wife, who is due to give birth.

The 28th-ranked Canadian men play No. 48 Romania on Friday in Bucharest and No. 31 Wales in Swansea on Feb. 9.

Bair, who plays for FC Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland, has one goal in five appearances for Canada. The 26-year-old from Ottawa last played for Canada in November in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

Larin won MLS rookie of the year honours in 2015 before leaving for Turkey's Besiktas. He scored 39 goals in 109 appearances for Besiktas, winning the league title and cup double in 2021.

Larin went on to play for Belgium's Club Brugge and Spain's Real Valladolid before joining Mallorca in 2023.

Larin, who will wear No. 10 at Feyenoord, is one of several Canadian internationals to change clubs during the summer transfer window.

Striker Jonathan David and midfielder Ismael Kone landed in Italy with Juventus and Sassuolo, respectively, while midfielder Nathan Saliba is now with Belgium's Anderlecht. Forward Tani Oluwaseyi has joined Canadian winger Tajon Buchanan at Spain's Villarreal.

Defenders Luc de Fougerolles (Belgium's F.C.V. Dender) and Derek Cornelius (Glasgow Rangers) and midfielder Mathieu Choinière (Los Angeles FC) have also switched teams.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 2, 2025.