Shaan Hundal’s career has long been defined by potential flashes of brilliance punctuated by abrupt dips, moments of elite finishing followed by periods of struggle.
But in 2025, the narrative finally shifted. At 26, the York United striker has produced the most complete, efficient, and mature football of his professional journey, transforming himself from a promising academy graduate into one of the Canadian Premier League’s most impactful forwards. A deep dive into his trajectory, backed by detailed performance analysis and market data, shows why Hundal’s rise this year is neither accidental nor temporary.
A Career of Disruptions and Breakthroughs
Born in Brampton to Indian Punjabi parents, Hundal was a standout talent from his earliest years. His pathway through Caledon SC, Brampton Youth SC, and the Toronto FC Academy built a strong technical and physical base. When he signed for Toronto FC II in 2016, he immediately validated that promise scoring 6 goals in 27 games, followed by 7 goals the next year. His early success earned him consecutive selections in the USL 20 Under 20 list, confirming his reputation as one of the country’s brightest young forwards.
But from 2018 onward, the volatility began. A dramatic drop in scoring for TFC II and a difficult transition to the Canadian Premier League with Valour FC in 2020 shook the momentum he had built. For a period, Hundal looked like a player searching for the right home, the right system, and the right coaching environment.
Everything changed with his move to the Inter Miami system. In 2021, he erupted for 11 goals in 27 matches for Fort Lauderdale CF (now Inter Miami CF II), showcasing the kind of efficiency that scouts always believed he possessed. This two-year Miami stint 17 goals across all competitions became the foundation for a renewed professional identity.
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When Hundal returned to the CPL with Vancouver FC in 2023, he brought confidence and consistency. Six goals in 28 matches marked him as a dependable striker no longer the streaky, unpredictable youngster of previous years, but a mature forward capable of sustaining form across a season. His 2024 return to Valour FC further proved his reliability. Hundal scored 7 goals that year, tightening his finishing, refining his movement, and showing an increased ability to link play. Coaches highlighted his intelligence in the box, but also emphasized something crucial: Shaan performs best when he feels trusted and central to the system.
This psychological dimension would become the key to unlocking his peak.
York United 2025: The Breakout Year
The turning point came mid-2025. On July 17, York United acquired Hundal in a swap deal a move that would redefine their season. In York’s system, designed around structured buildup and chance creation, Hundal found his perfect environment.
The numbers tell the story:
- 9 goals and 3 assists in 26 matches across all competitions
- 150 minutes per goal — among the best in the CPL
- 2 goals in 2 playoff games — proving his big-match temperament
- 4 goals in a single match on August 24 — tying the all-time CPL record
- 0.39 goals per 90 minutes — his highest-ever season efficiency
These metrics confirm one thing: in 2025, Hundal reached the peak of his scoring efficiency.
The four-goal performance against Pacific FC stands as the season’s defining moment. Hundal finished nearly every chance he received, thriving in an attacking structure tailored to his strengths left-footed precision, penalty-box instincts, and sharp spatial awareness.
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His improvement is not simply statistical. It’s tactical and psychological. Hundal is a system-forward—when placed in a setup that values direct attacking lanes, combination play, and central penetration, he becomes a high-volume scorer with match-winning potential.
Strengths, Evolution, and Market Value
Hundal’s 2025 season reveals a striker who excels in:
- Clinical left-footed finishing
- Penalty-box movement and timing
- High-pressure game temperament
- Efficient, low-touch, high-impact attacking play
His biggest area of growth remains mental consistency. The fluctuations earlier in his career show that he thrives with strong coaching alignment, emotional stability, and a clear tactical role. York gave him these conditions and the result was the best football of his career.
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As of late 2025, his market value is listed at €175k, but this is widely considered an undervaluation. Domestic scarcity, proven efficiency, and record-setting performances all push his actual worth much higher—particularly as his contract expires in December 2025. York holds a one-year option for 2026, but if they want to keep him long-term, they must act quickly.
Hundal is now a striker entering his peak years, and the league knows it.
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Shaan Hundal’s journey full of interruptions, breakthroughs, and reinventions has culminated in a 2025 season that finally reflects his true ability. His trajectory is clear: if he remains in a stable, attack-minded environment like York United, he has the potential to become a 10+ goal CPL striker consistently, putting him among the league’s elite forwards.
At 26, he is no longer a player defined by potential.
He is defined by production.
And if 2025 is any indication, Shaan Hundal’s story is just getting started.
