Solikowski transfers from Alberta to reunite with Whitecaps coach Loga on the Griffins

EDMONTON – The first recruit coming to MacEwan that's set to benefit from a new U SPORTS rule allowing first- and second-year student-athletes to transfer without having to sit out the traditional 365-day window has landed with the Griffins men's soccer team.

Former University of Alberta Golden Bear Adam Solikowski will join Adam Loga's squad for the 2026-27 Canada West season, the head coach announced Tuesday.

Solikowski, who was on the roster, but didn't see any action with the Golden Bears in his rookie U SPORTS season in 2025, is reuniting with his former coach at the Vancouver Whitecaps Edmonton Prospects academy. 

"We tried to get him last season," said Loga. "He wanted to do Criminology over at the U of A. I had Adam back with the Whitecaps Prospects group when he was in 10^th Grade, similar to Sam Zelaya, Malik Abdul and where we identified Reno Nero and Marcus Martinez. Adam and me have a past together and it was a very positive one. I'm excited to have him in."

Solikowski brings a versatile skill-set with coveted 6-foot-4 size that will allow him to be effective playing either centre-back or striker. Before heading to Alberta, he won a provincial silver medal with Northside United.

"Again, we need some size to help us on our Achilles' heel of set pieces, so he'll bring that," said Loga. "And just familiarity. We've worked so much together, we know what to expect from one another. Also, too, when we had him with the Whitecaps, we played him in the 9 as a striker, so he has that ability and capability to be a centre-back for us or play up top. 

"He gives us something different than what we have up top currently. We don't really have a target 9 that's 6-4 to hold the ball up for us. So, he can give us different looks, for sure."

Should he play in the forward group, Solikowski would be tasked with holding up the ball, using his size, allowing MacEwan's quick strikers to gain space.

"It allows numbers to get forward most importantly," said Loga. "It's not just playing into space. It allows for combination play in the central areas, which is going to force defenders to step to create space in behind for our quicker guys to get on the ball. 

"It just adds so many different looks. And I should add, he's mobile, so it's not like he couldn't be a bit more of a hybrid 9. Even if we play a two-striker set and have him hold the ball up with Macky (Mahfouz) or Ali (Yildiz) running in behind, it's going to cause defenders problems."

Seemingly for years, Loga has been searching for the right combination on his back line, but Solikowski has the potential to add nicely to a deep defender group. 

"He's clean, he can play out the back well," said Loga. "I think the development and progress this season, especially, for Phil Wutzl, landing Paul Amedume and the development of Liam Van Laar, and Lucio (Rivera) being back again, it gives us a bit more depth back there. 

"I think we needed to either develop what we have or find another. It's been great the guys developed as we hoped and knew they could, as well as bolstering with bringing in guys like Paul and Adam for next season."