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Matt Silva Returns To Play In The Philippines
By Valour’s Matt Silva is back to playing abroad.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper announced that he has signed with reigning Philippines Football League champions United City FC this morning, marking a return to playing overseas after three seasons in the Canadian Premier League.
Silva made six appearances for Valour FC last season, recording a sole clean sheet against FC Edmonton in league play. The veteran goalkeeper enjoyed a stint in goal whilst Jonathan Sirois was recalled by CF Montreal, but ultimately still found game time in the CPL hard to come by.
His prior season in Winnipeg saw the six-foot-one goalkeeper go through the shortened campaign without making any appearances, watching from the sidelines as James Pantemis completed an iron man season on loan from CF Montreal.
Silva had first arrived to the CPL expecting to be a starter with York United in 2019, but the arrival of Nathan Ingham late in preseason saw Silva reprise a backup role instead. He ultimately made only one appearance for the Nine Stripes in the league’s inaugural season.
Before arriving to Canada to participate in the launch of the Canadian Premier League, Silva spent several years overseas in the Swedish lower divisions playing for Bodens BK and Osterlens FF, and had spent a year in the Philippines with Kaya FC-Iloilo, too.
His former side won last season’s Copa Paulino Alcantara – a tournament that was run in lieu of a 2021 season – so there’ll be an interesting dynamic for the goalkeeper as he joins the reigning league champions instead.
Whether the Mississauga-born goalkeeper can crack a starting role with United City FC remains to be seen, but he’s certainly secured an interesting move abroad.
His former side Valour FC will be heading into the 2022 CPL season with Jonathan Sirois returning on loan from CF Montreal, with head coach Phillip Dos Santos recruiting former draft pick Rayane Yesli as the club’s number two option.
The length of Silva’s contract with United City FC was not disclosed by the club.