Wanderers Add Canadian Midfielder Armaan Wilson

The Halifax Wanderers have reached the league’s required number of rostered Canadian U-21 athletes with the acquisition of Armaan Wilson.

The 20-year-old midfielder arrives to Wanderers Grounds on a one-year deal with a club option for 2024.

Wilson, who hails from Kleinburg, Ontario, has established himself through both League1 Ontario action with the Woodbridge strikers and in NCAA circles with Providence College, where he made 44 appearances throughout the last three seasons.

He becomes another athlete familiar with new head coach Patrice Gheisar, who hopes to instill a new brand of attacking football out east.

“Armaan is a player we’ve known for a long time that possesses all the qualities to fit our playing style,” says Gheisar. “He’s aggressive, brave, technical and has great speed of play. He’s evolved physically, growing more into his body, and his maturity for his age shows that he is ready to take this next big step.”

Wilson made seven summertime appearances for a Woodbridge Strikers side that that’s currently on course to land in League1 Ontario’s top division when promotion and relegation are added in 2024.

Standing at six-foot-three, the sizable youngster also provided one goal and four assists during his final NCAA campaign with Providence College, where he had suited up against now-teammate Callum Watson during the season.

“This has been a dream since I was a kid, and I’m so happy that I can start my pro career with the Halifax Wanderers,” added Wilson. “I think I can contribute anywhere in the midfield wherever the coach needs me, and wherever I am, I will work as hard as I can on and off the field for the badge on my chest.”

So long as Aarman Wilson, Tomas Giraldo, and Tiago Coimbra combine for some 2,000 minutes of action this year, the club will meet the Canadian Premier League’s mandate of rostering least three domestic U-21 athletes and giving them a set number of game time.

See Also: 2023 CPL Roster Tracker

Last season saw Halifax contribute 3,873 minutes of game time, well above the league minimum of 2,000.

The Wanderers will march into the 2023 CPL season with a much-transformed squad, with the club making league history after selling Samuel Salter to Atletico Ottawa last week, with MLS SuperDraft pick Daniel Nimick joining after that.

Armaan Wilson’s first professional deal will see him suit up for Halifax Wanderers this year, with a club option for 2024.