Platt: Estevez Attracting Overseas Interest

OneSoccer Analyst Oliver Platt has disclosed that York9 FC midfielder Emilio Estevez is getting interest from overseas, though his potential suitors remain unknown for the time being.

The 21-year-old Taiwanese international is a returning member from the club’s inaugural season roster, with York9 FC having re-signed him back in December. The Toronto-born midfielder first signed for the Nine Stripes after impressing at the Got Game Open Trials, going on to make 21 appearances last season for the club, most of them as a substitute. He scored his only goal of the season during a 6-2 routing of the Halifax Wanderers.

His performances for York9 FC earned him the reputation of being a tricky, quick-footed midfielder, and also earned him a call up for the Chinese Taipei national team, for whom he has now made three appearances, one of which was a World Cup Qualifier against Australia.

A source has corroborated Platt’s statement to Northern Tribune, stating that Estevez was aware of the interest, but at that point he had already signed his contract renewal with York9 FC.

While his second professional preseason is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Emilio’s quick rise is quite noteworthy: two years ago he was plying his trade in League1 Ontario and the CSL, last year he earned a chance to play in the CPL through the Got-Game Open Trials and earned a national team call up which has now led to the overseas interest.

While York9 FC defender Justin Springer has a similar background – he’s a former League1 Ontario player who made a good number of appearances for the Nine Stripes last season, earning international call-ups along the way – Northern Tribune has confirmed that he has been cut from the York9 FC roster, though the club has yet to make an official announcement.

Emilio had traveled internationally to pursue professional football before, with the youngster having trialed with Championship side Queens Park Rangers and La Liga side Levante back in 2018 before returning to Canada to play in League1 Ontario and the CSL.

As Emilio is under contract with the Canadian Premier League side, York9 FC would be able to make a profit from the sale if they received an agreeable offer. He’d become the fourth outbound CPL player sale after Tristan Borges, Joel Waterman, and Tyler Attardo.

For now, however, Emilio remains a York9 FC player. Still, it’s interesting to know that potential suitors are keeping an eye on a Canadian Premier League youngster who isn’t a regular starter in the burgeoning league.

Source: Oliver Platt (via Twitter)