HFX Wanderers FC’s star attacker Joao Morelli is the 2021 Canadian Premier League Golden Boot winner.

The 25-year-old Brazilian’s 14-goal regular season – which is a CPL record for most goals scored in a single campaign – was enough to capture the award after he powered the Wanderers’ attack through a blistering two-month stretch, earning a nomination for Player of the Year at this month’s CPL Awards in the process.

BEYOND THE PITCH: Beyond the Pitch: HFX Wanderers forward João Morelli

Morelli, who can play across the attacking four, opened his 2021 account at The Kickoff bubble season opener where he notched a brace – one of a staggering six two-goal games on the year – against FC Edmonton on July 10. He added another brace against Atlético Ottawa at Wanderers Grounds in early August and quickly emerged as the league’s top goalscorer. Morelli had Ottawa’s number especially, scoring eight of his 14 goals against them.

Morelli, who scored four goals for the Wanderers in the shortened 2020 season, joined Halifax after a stint in Estonia’s top tier. The versatile attacker arrived via his native Brazil and English club Middlseboriough, where he joined as a youth player.