Wanderers Add French Forward Yohan Bai

Following the success of French midfielder Lorenzo Callegari has brought to the Halifax Wanderers midfield, the club is doubling down to sign French forward Yohan Bai.

The 28-year-old winger arrives to Halifax on a two-year deal that includes a club option for 2027, with the move pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. The move comes ahead of winger Massimo Ferrin’s rumoured exit to York United.

Bai arrives to Halifax by way of Bulgarian top flight club Lokomotiv Plovdiv, for whom he made five appearances after making a mid-year move from Ligue 2’s SC Bastia. There, he tallied three goals in seventeen appearances.

His former Bulgian side is struggling in the top flight, and with Bai not getting minutes, a move elsewhere was likely best for both parties.

Overall, Bai has tallied 9 goals and 12 assists across a career mostly spent in the French lower division and Bulgaria, where he’s turned heads with his fast pace on either side of the pitch.

“Yohan fits the profile of attacker we wanted to add this season with a combination of creativity, pace and scoring ability,” says Wanderers Sporting Director Matt Fegan, who has already bolstered his midfield with the CPL return of Isaiah Johnston.

“He has the versatility to play across the front line which suits our playing style. Having played at some prestigious clubs overseas he is also an experienced player who will help elevate the quality in the squad on and off the pitch.”

With head coach Patrice Gheisar favouring a fast and fluid attacking mentality, he says that Yohan will brings qualities that fit well: he’s technical, keen to run at players, and is capable of to ‘create individual magic’ for the Wanderers.

“I didn’t hesitate for a single second when the opportunity came to play in Canada,” says the winger himself. “After I met with Patrice I spent a week learning everything I could about the club, the city and the fans. I could already picture myself playing there. You can score a goal and hug a fan during the celebration. That’s crazy!”

After the club landed a playoff spot in 2023, the Halifax Wanderers dipped in form last season and are keen to bounce back as a title contender come 2025. Given that last year’s international attacking recruitment wasn’t always a hit, there’ll be plenty of hope that Bai finds his feet well on Canada’s east coast.