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Halifax Wanderers Land MLS Veteran Doneil Henry
By Just one hour after an initial report popped up that Doneil Henry was set for the Canadian Premier League, the veteran national team defender has been announced by the Halifax Wanderers.
The Nova Scotian side have inked the 30-year-old MLS veteran for the remainder of the season with a club option for 2024.
The big centre-back has plenty of high level experience to offer, having played for the likes of Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Suwon Bluewings, amongst others.
“We’re thrilled to welcome a player of Doneil’s pedigree to Halifax and feel he will be a great addition to our locker room and the club as a whole,” said Wanderers Sporting Director Matt Fegan.
“His playing career and his contribution to elevate Canadian soccer to the next level speaks for itself. He is a player renowned for establishing strong connections with his clubs and their supporters, and we have no doubt he will enjoy his time playing for the best fans in the CPL.”
The 30-year-old defender has long called the CPL an attractive league, describing it as an important league for the growth of Canadian football.
Henry has recently bounced around a few Major League Soccer sides, leaping between LAFC, Toronto FC, and Minnesota United over the last two years while also missing Canada’s World Cup appearance through injury.
The Brampton-born defender has long been a staple member of the Canadian men’s national team, for whom he has earned 44 caps. Starting his career with Toronto FC, the six-foot-two Henry procured a move to West Ham United, undergoing loans to Blackburn Rovers and AC Horsens before returning to Canadian soil with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
After a small loan stint with the Ottawa Fury, he was transferred to South Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings, during which his eyes drifted home through an ownership stake with the Simcoe County Rovers.
“I have new fire in me, I have my why,” Henry told CanPL’s Charlie O’connor-Clarke. “It’s not about me, it’s gonna be the team atmosphere, but I’m definitely going with my mind knowing that I’m definitely going to show people that I have so much left to give. When you see me out there, you’re going to see the same passion, the same fire, because I can’t give you less than that.”
The defender revealed that Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar was a driving force behind the move, with the gaffer having earned the respect of several national team members like Kamal Miller, Dayne St. Clair, and Alistair Johnston from their time with the Vaughan Azzurri.
As it turns out, Gheisar had been keeping in touch with Henry, particularly after he left Minnesota United in June. That olive branch has now landed Doneil Henry in Canada’s top flight, something that Halifax are sure to be delighted about.
More to come as the situations develops.