The thing about once-in-a-lifetime opportunities – as former West Ham United starlet Levi Laing explains – is that they tend to come around, well, maybe only once in a lifetime.
Twice, perhaps, if you’re lucky.
And,while the 22-year-old centre-half has a long old way to go before he can look former England teammates Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Cole Palmer eyeball-to-eyeball again on a football pitch, Levi Laing feels that joining the dominant force of the Canadian Premier League could provide the springboard he has been looking for.
Laing joined West Ham from London rivals Arsenal while still a teenager back in 2021.
He arrived in the same summer as Pierre Ekwah’s move across the capital from Chelsea. Four years on, while Ekwah is now playing regular Ligue 1 football with St Etienne after making his breakthrough at Sunderland, Laing crosses the Atlantic hoping to get his own career off the ground.
The former West Ham youngster caught David Moyes’ eye during the Scot’s second spell in the London Stadium dugout. Moyes, after handing Laing his senior debut in a 4-0 Europa League drubbing of AEK Larnaca, described him as a ‘really good one-v-one defender’ with his pace a stand-out attribute.
Hammers youth coach Mark Robson labelled Laing ‘outstanding’, meanwhile, after he formed a fine understanding with another future Sunderland man in Aji Alese at Under-23 level.
Laing, clearly, is not lacking in potential. What his career really needs, however, is a jumping-off point.
Former West Ham United starlet Levi Laing explains Canada switch
After a knee injury ruined his loan spell at Cheltenham in the first half of the season – Laing started each of The Robins’ first three League Two games before being struck down – the London-born youngster dropped out of the EFL when joining Aldershot Town in March.
Thus, bringing an end to nearly half-a-decade with The Hammers.
Only a few weeks later, however, Cavalry FC came calling. And Laing did not need much convincing to swap Hampshire for Calgary.
“I think, for me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he smiles in conversation with One Soccer, reunited with a few familiar faces in his new Canadian home. “Not many opportunities like this come around often.
“For me, I decided with my family. It was a risk but I’m willing to take a risk in my life. If there’s no risk, there’s no reward. [I said] ‘Let’s do this, let’s come to Cavalry. I’ve loved it since I’ve been here. Its been sensational.
“I’ve got a cousin and his wife here and their two little children. So it’s been an easier transition. I’ve been able to run errands with them, with my family. I haven’t seen them in ages so that’s been nice.”
Cavalry FC won the Canadian Premier League in 2024. The chance to play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup – made up of the best teams from Canada, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean – is another factor which encouraged Laing to leave his British roots behind.
“What excited me is the success they’ve had. Playing in the CONCACAF, this is a big step in the club’s development. And, for me, I am trying to play on the biggest stages as well,” Laing adds. “So it goes hand in hand.
“For me, it was a no-brainer. The manager has been so nice, the staff and the teammates have been so welcoming. It’s been easy to gel and transition so far.”
Laing played alongside Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala with England
Moyes handed Laing plenty of chances to train with the West Ham first-team, while highlighting ability to win his one-v-one battles as a major attribute. The player himself, meanwhile, describes his style as that of an ‘aggressive centre-back’ but also one who can ‘play through lines’ and start attacks from deep.
Laing played alongside some of the finest talents of his generation, meanwhile, at England Under-16 level. It remains to be seen whether he will one day be sharing a pitch with some of the more successful of those Young Lions again.
“Jude Bellingham was always driven. You could tell he was very driven to make it,” a misty-eyed Laing recalls. “To see what he’s doing now, in the Champions League with Real Madrid, is crazy.
“I played with Jude Bellingham, I played with [Bayern Munich star] Jamal Musiala. Those experiences in themselves were incredible for me.
“Obviously, at that young age, you dong realise what they will go on to do.”
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