Inter Milan have completed the signing of Tajon Buchanan from Club Brugge for a fee of around €7 million, becoming the first Canadian to play in Serie A.
Hailing from Canada’s cold environment, Buchanan has a distinct place of origin: Brampton, Ontario, dubbed “Flower City” because of the numerous greenhouses and gardens that subtly accentuate the city’s natural beauty. In the very centre of Brampton, the tale of Inter’s new winger, Tajon Trevor Buchanan, began.
He was born on February 8, 1999, to Jamaican parents, and his aim has always been to play professional football. Chrys Chrysanthou, Buchanan’s first football coach, helped him recognise his ability and develop a love for the game while coaching him at the youth level with the Mississauga Falcons. Buchanan followed Chrysanthou in landing a job with Real Colorado. Moving from Canada to the United States at the age of 15, where he was separated from his family, was a big adjustment.
Because he was Canadian, Buchanan was not allowed to play when he first started playing in the US due to registration regulations. Although Buchanan’s circumstances made it difficult for the Canadian youth system to notice him, he remained resolute and put in a lot of training. As a result, Syracuse Orange, Syracuse University’s collegiate soccer team, took notice of him.
He had to earn seven school credits in five months in order to be admitted to the university. But in Colorado, he could only receive six credits per year. Buchanan put in a lot of effort every day to reach his objective of earning that extra credit, and he succeeded in earning his seven credits. After a tremendous stint with the Orange, Buchanan was selected by the New England Revolution in the MLS SuperDraft in 2019, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Buchanan thrived and established his value in Foxborough. In June 2021, he was called up for the first time to the senior Canada team, having only played for the U23s during the Olympic Qualifying Championship. He scored 12 goals in 67 games. Buchanan is a fantastic team player, quick on the draw, and skilled in one-on-one scenarios. His efforts at the 2021 Gold Cup were undoubtedly remarkable; he assisted Canada in getting to the semi-finals, where he scored his nation’s first goal.
In 2022, he travelled to Europe and signed with Belgian Club Brugge. Then, in 2021–2022, he won the league, made his Champions League debut, and was selected for the Canadian team that would compete in the World Cup in Qatar—a first for his nation since 1986.
Buchanan is a versatile player with the ability to play on both wings and at full back. He’s a multi-role player with a strong work ethic and versatility. After years of development, Tajon is now prepared to make history as the first Canadian player to play in Serie A.
Tajon’s Nerazzurri ambition has only just begun after an arduous journey that began in Brampton and has led him all the way to Milano.
