Rwanda-Canadian football prodigy Josh-Duc Nteziryayo has been promoted to Major League Soccer (MLS) side CF Montréal’s senior team following an impressive spell in the club’s academy.

The 17-year-old has signed his first professional contract, committing to a three-year deal running until the end of 2028, with options to extend. In doing so, Nteziryayo becomes the 29th homegrown player in CF Montréal’s history.

"We’re pleased to officially welcome Nteziryayo to the first team,” said Luca Saputo, CF Montréal’s Managing Director of Recruitment and Sporting Methodology.

"His maturity, determination, and level of commitment have made him fully deserving of this achievement. He embodies the values of our academy, and we have every confidence in his potential to establish himself at the next level.”

Born in Terrebonne, Canada, in 2008, Nteziryayo is of Rwandan descent and remains eligible to represent Rwanda internationally, despite having featured for Canada at youth level.

"We are filled with joy because our son has signed his first professional contract,” his mother, Liliane Iradukunda, wrote on X.

"Congratulations, dear Josh, and thank you to the club for welcoming you into the senior team — a family you have grown with since the age of nine.”

Standing at 190.5 cm, the highly rated midfielder joined the CF Montréal Academy in 2018. He has since represented Canada twice at international level, including at the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Qatar.

Nteziryayo has also been shortlisted for Canada’s U-20 squad ahead of two international friendly matches scheduled for December 18 and December 21 at the FCRF-Plycem Complex in Alajuela, Costa Rica.