Erik David Pop (born January 30, 2006) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Erik David Pop | ||
| Date of birth | January 30, 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2013–2022 | ProStars FC | ||
| 2023–2024 | Karlsruher SC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024 | Karlsruher SC II | 3 | (0) |
| 2025 | Valour FC | 17 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2023 | Canada U17 | 8 | (1) |
| 2024 | Romania U18 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 27, 2025 | |||
Early life
editPop began playing youth soccer with ProStars FC, which was founded by his father Gabriel.[1][2] In January 2023, he went to Germany to trial with FC Köln, before signing two weeks later with Karlsruher SC.[3][4]
Club career
editIn 2024, Pop played with Karlsruher SC II in the sixth tier Verbandsliga Nordbaden.
In January 2025, he signed with Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League on a two-year contract, with an option for 2027.[5][6] On October 5, 2025, he scored his first goal in a 3–3 draw against Atlético Ottawa.[7]
International career
editPop is eligible to represent Canada and Romania at international level.[8]
He made his debut in the Canadian national program in October 2022, attending a camp with the Canada U17.[1] He was subsequently named to the roster for the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[8][9]
In 2024, he represented Romania U18.[10]
Career statistics
edit- As of October 27, 2025
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Karlsruher SC II | 2024–25[citation needed] | Verbandsliga Nordbaden | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | 3 | 0 | |||
| Valour FC | 2025 | Canadian Premier League | 17 | 1 | – | 1 | 0 | – | 18 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | ||
References
edit- 1 2 Erik Pop at Canada Soccer
- ↑ Parfene, Cătălin (November 10, 2023). "Erik Pop, atacantul român prezentat de Sport.ro, debutează azi la Campionatul Mondial U-17 cu naționala Canadei! "Lucrurile încep să se lege"" [Erik Pop, the Romanian striker presented by Sport.ro, makes his debut today at the U-17 World Championship with the Canadian national team! "Things are starting to come together"]. Sport.ro (in Romanian).
- ↑ Jacques, John (January 20, 2023). "Veth: ProStars Youngster Signs In 2. Bundesliga". Northern Tribune.
- ↑ Parfene, Cătălin (February 27, 2023). "Doi fotbaliști români s-au calificat cu naționala Canadei la Campionatul Mondial Under 17! "Băieți serioși, s-au dezvoltat fantastic"" [Two Romanian footballers qualified with the Canadian national team for the Under-17 World Championship! "Serious boys, they developed fantastically"]. Sport.ro (in Romanian).
- ↑ "Valour FC announce signing of striker Erik Pop". Valour FC. January 30, 2025.
- ↑ Jacques, John (January 30, 2025). "Valour Adds Former L1O Youth Standout Erik Pop". Northern Tribune.
- ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (October 5, 2025). "Highlights: Valour FC 3-3 Atlético Ottawa - 2025 Match #103". Canadian Premier League.
- 1 2 Tait, Ed (January 30, 2025). ""He's there to compete and hopefully find minutes organically"". Valour FC.
- ↑ "Se mărește "legiunea" de români din naționalele Canadei. Andrei Dumitru și Erik Pop au ales și ei "Frunza de arțar"" [The "legion" of Romanians in Canada's national teams is growing. Andrei Dumitru and Erik Pop also chose the "Maple Leaf"]. Digi Sport (in Romanian).
- ↑ "Congratulations to our very own Erik Pop who was called up to the Romanian U18 National Team". ProStars FC. Instagram. March 25, 2024.
External links
edit- Erik Pop at Canada Soccer
- Erik Pop at Soccerway