York9 FC Loans Petrasso To Barnet

Canadian Premier League side York9 FC has just announced the loan of midfielder Michael Petrasso to Vanarama National League side Barnet FC.

The deal will see him ply his trade in London until the end of June, becoming the second Nine Stripes athlete set to officially miss part of the 2021 Canadian Premier League season.

Last week the winger re-signed with York9 FC on a two year deal, with Club President Angus McNab evidently eager to see the 25-year-old stay fit during the long Canadian offseason. Petrasso has struggled with injuries during his time with the Nine Stripes, missing a large portion of The Island Games through a groin strain injury.

This is a move that really works when we look at the aims of both the club and player. Ultimately, we need a fully fit Michael Petrasso and getting full-time training and regular minutes is what he needs. When we loan players, it’s done with the best interest of the player and club in mind. A fully fit Michael Petrasso playing to his potential will lead to discussions about a return to the Canadian Men’s National Team and adding to his nine caps. He needs games and a full-time environment to get back to that. Barnet have been a pleasure to deal with as we’ve arranged this opportunity and they’re sure to take great care of him.

Angus McNab

It was eight years ago when the winger’s first move to England took place, with a teenage Petrasso joining Queens Park Rangers and being loaned to the likes of Oldham Athletic, Coventry City, Leyton Orient, and Notts County during his time abroad.

The winger then returned to Canada to ply his trade with the Montreal Impact, and in 2019 found himself with Valour FC for the inaugural Canadian Premier League season. Despite recurrent injury problems, he accumulated a good return of six goals in eighteen league appearances and – as per CanPL’s Marty Thompson – led the league for shots on goal per 90 with a healthy return of 3.52 prior to signing with York9 FC to play closer to home.

After tallying only 130 minutes across three appearances at The Island Games, the club is hopeful that a season spent over in England will see the tricky winger return to Canada both healthy and in fine form next summer.

It’s a similar strategy to what Forge FC defender David Edgar did when signing for Hartlepool last year prior to his move to Forge FC.

I’m really happy that York9 has been so flexible and allowed me to take up this opportunity at Barnet. I had a deeply disappointing year with injury and the chance to go play some games is exactly what I need. It’s a bit strange as I’m excited by both opportunities. I loved my previous time in England with QPR so to get back across is great. But I also can’t wait to come back to Canada for the 2021 CPL season and show my true potential, as York9 fans certainly haven’t seen that from me yet.

Michael Petrasso

Barnet has been a side in high struggle of late, with the club dropping down from its typical League 2 roots to find itself in the Vanarama Conference National league for the last two years. The club currently dropped its home opener in a 5-1 loss to Eastleigh, with the London-based side hoping Petrasso can help the side make a run for playoffs.

The 25-year-old becomes the second York9 FC player to make an offseason loan move, following in the footsteps of Jamaican forward Nicholas Hamilton (who is also away until June 2021). With a long Canadian offseason ahead, McNab is hoping that plenty of first team playtime will see an in-form Petrasso arrive back to York Lions Stadium ready to help lead the side to its first-ever appearance in the CPL Finals.

Given that York9 FC will be playing on a turf pitch next year – assuming they can play from home – there will be many eyes waiting to see if Petrasso can stay fit and healthy overseas.