Toronto Argonauts Add Former Hamilton Tiger-Cats Duo: Tunde Adeleke and Fraser Sopik Join the Roster”
The Toronto Argonauts have added two former Hamilton Tiger-Cats to their roster.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the team revealed the signing of National defensive back Tunde Adeleke and National linebacker Fraser Sopik, both of whom previously played for the Hamilton squad in 2023.
Adeleke, aged 28, spent the last four seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after beginning his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders in 2017. With 86 career games under his belt, he boasts 232 tackles, five interceptions, five sacks, and four forced fumbles. Despite being limited to 10 games in 2023 due to injury, Adeleke contributed 31 tackles and a forced fumble as the Ticats pushed for a playoff spot late in the season.
The addition of Adeleke to Toronto’s roster helps mitigate the impact of several anticipated departures following the CFL’s communication window opening last week, allowing pending free agents to explore their options. Adeleke, a product of Carleton University, brings an All-Star caliber performance to the Argonauts’ defensive lineup while also providing versatility in terms of the ratio requirements.
Adeleke clinched a Grey Cup victory with the Stampeders in 2018 and earned CFL All-Star honors in 2019, along with being named a CFL East Division All-Star in both 2019 and 2021.
Meanwhile, Sopik played 12 games for Hamilton in 2023, registering two defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, and one fumble recovery. Originally drafted in the fourth round by Calgary in 2019, Sopik spent three seasons with the Stampeders, each culminating in a playoff appearance.
Throughout his career, the Western University alum has accumulated 33 defensive tackles, 39 special teams tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery across 59 games.
Sopik, hailing from Toronto, enjoyed a distinguished collegiate football career at Western (2015-2018), where he earned accolades such as U SPORTS and OUA Stand-Up Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, All-Canadian honors in 2018, and Vanier Cup Defensive MVP in 2017. His college stats include 212 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks in 39 games for the Mustangs.
