Morey Doner Parts Ways With York9 FC

26-year-old Canadian full-back Morey Doner has agreed to the mutual termination of his contract with York9 FC in order to pursue a new playing opportunity.

The Collingwood-born defender departs from the side after making 36 appearances, which put him as the second-most selected player who was still on the roster before today and the sixth-most of all time.

He was one of three Nine Stripes defenders to play every single possible minute at The Island Games this year, following up on an impressive first season which saw him voted in as the fan’s choice for best right back in the inaugural Canadian Premier League campaign.

In an official statement, Club President Angus McNab thanked the 26-year-old defender for his contributions to the York Region side:

I can’t thank Morey enough for his efforts in the last two years. He has been a phenomenal asset to this team and we are sad to see him depart. He has ambitions to play and test himself overseas, and feels it may be the time to do this. We would not want to stand in his way and he feels the time for this is now given his age [and the] stage of his career.

Angus McNab

The inaugural Canadian Premier League season saw Doner break into the squad during the spring season, where he then made 29 appearances last year and scored a scintillating rocket against Valour FC to mark his first goal at the professional level.

The club was quick to re-sign him for the 2020 season, and then offered him a contract extension for 2021 a few months after that. Today’s announcement, however, nullifies the agreement between the Common Goal member and the CPL side.

He’s always welcome back to the club as our guest and I hope he achieves all he wants in his career – he’s a great guy.

Angus McNab

While the departure states he’s looking for a move overseas, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another CPL side put in an offer for the free agent. While wherever he opts to go next remains to be seen, Collingwood’s first professional soccer player has certainly proven that he has what it takes to play at the professional level.

The right-sided full-back fought hard to earn his chance in the pro game: before his time with the Nine Stripes, Doner had travelled to Brazil in order to develop in the country’s lower leagues before returning to North America for a stint in Florida with USL2 side Palm Beach Suns.

He then returned to Canada, where he impressed York9 FC gaffer Jim Brennan in a trial during his time as the head coach of League1 Ontario outfit Aurora FC. The defender had to commute long distances to make the arrangement work, eventually being invited up to the professional level by Brennan after the formation of York9 FC.

Following the mutual termination of Doner’s contract, the York Region side currently has eighteen players on the roster for next year, with only two original squad members remaining. With a club average age of only 21.3, fans can expect a very young-leaning Nine Stripes squad to take to the pitch next season.