Nikayla Small

Nikayla Desiree Small is a Canadian soccer player who plays for AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League.

Early life

Small began playing youth soccer at age four with Pickering FC. She later joined the NDC Ontario program.

College career

In 2021, Small began attending Wake Forest University, where she played for the [Wake Forest Demon Deacons women's soccer|women's Association football|soccer team]. On August 29, 2021, she scored her first collegiate goal in a victory over the Youngstown State Penguins. At the end of her first season, she was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team. She missed the entire 2022 season due to injury.

Club career

In 2022, Small played with NDC Ontario in League1 Ontario.
In 2024, she played with Eagle FC in the USL W League, scoring three goals in eight matches.
In January 2025, she signed a professional contract with AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League. On June 11, 2025, she scored her first goal in a 3-2 victory over Vancouver Rise FC. On June 14, 2025, she scored a brace in a 2-1 victory over Calgary Wild FC. She was named the league's Player of the Month for June 2025. Small scored the first goal in the first-ever NSL semifinal as Toronto won 2–0 in the first leg against Montreal Roses FC on November 1, 2025. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, in which Toronto won the inaugural Supporters' Shield, it was announced that she had signed a contract extension to keep her with the club through 2027.

International career

In August 2018, Small was called up for the first time to the Canada national program with the Canada U15 for the 2018 CONCACAF Girls' U-15 Championship. She was named to the tournament Best XI. She later was called up to camps with the Canada U17 and represented the Canada U20 at both the 2022 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship and the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
In October 2021, she was called up to the Canada senior team for the first time for a training camp and a set of friendlies.