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Photo Credit: James Bennett
Coimbra Re-Signs With Wanderers, Dons Number 9
By The Halifax end-of-season roster update left it unclear whether Tiago Coimbra would remain in Wanderers blue, but today the 20-year-old striker has secured a long-term contract with the club.
Coimbra’s new deal will run on a two-year term with club options for 2027 and 2028, potentially extending his time at Wanderers Grounds for up to six years.
The U-21 Canadian-Brazilian dual national didn’t get large swaths of minutes under Patrice Gheisar this season, but eventually tallied 798 of them split through 20 appearances. He was good for four goals and one assist in that run, a small uptick on his performances from last year.
Evidently, he is adjudged to have an even higher ceiling.
“We’re thrilled to extend our agreement with Tiago after two promising years here in Halifax,” says Wanderers sporting director Matt Fegan, who says the young striker is a tremendously valuable asset to the east coast side, and that they’re fully committed to helping him develop.
While born in Brazil, Coimbra moved to Vancouver at the age of nine and played locally with the Faly Academy, who later went to help launch League1 BC side Altitude FC. Coimbra would go on to feature for Brazilian club Palmeiras at the U-20 level, and was also called up to the Canada U-20 team at the Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship.
“It’s exciting to be signing a long-term deal with Halifax and means a lot to me that the club is thinking about me after my final U-21 season and wants me to be here past next season,” Coimbra said.
“I’m excited to get more experience here in the CPL, which has seen some great players put the league on the map like Kwasi and Waterman,” says Coimbra, who wants to emulate their success all the way through to the senior Canadian men’s national team.
Finding his rhythm in Canada’s top flight will go a long way to that ambition. His third season in Wanderers blue will see him don the number nine kit, a clear signal of intent as he moves from his previous number in nineteen.
Head coach Patrice Gheisar, who has coached many national team athletes in their earlier days, sees the potential in Tiago to fill his potential and reach higher heights. In the interim, he’s happy to host him at Wanderers Grounds.
“Tiago’s impressive physical and technical characteristics are the perfect combination for our system,” adds the gaffer. “We’re excited to have his intensity, confidence and commitment on the pitch again next season.”
There are several more Wanderers athletes on club options, with Gheisar and new club advisor Mark Watson having until December 31 to trigger them. Still to be determined are goalkeeper Aiden Rushenas, defenders Julian Dunn, Riley Ferrazzo, and Wesley Timoteo, midfielders Aidan Daniels, Andre Rampersad, and Tomas Giraldo, and forwards Massimo Ferrin and Ryan Telfer.
Header Image Photo Credit: James Bennett
