Former Canadian men’s national team star and Cavalry FC assistant coach Martin Nash is the new head coach of York United, the club announced Tuesday.

Nash, 45, makes the switch from the Calgarian side after three years under current coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. and replaces his former national team teammate in Jimmy Brennan, who departed the York managerial position earlier this month.

Nash signed a two-year deal, with an option for an additional twelve months.

The Regina, Saskatchewan native made over 400 professional appearances between England and North American clubs before hanging up his boots in 2010 with the MLS-bound Vancouver Whitecaps. There, he remained as a residency and USL League 2 program coach before moving on to Ottawa Fury as an assistant coach from 2014 to 2016 before joining Wheeldon Jr. and co. with the Calgary Foothills FC PDL team, which won a league championship in 2018.

“I’m hugely grateful to The Nine Stripes for affording me this opportunity and I genuinely can’t wait to get to work,” Nash said. “We have a dynamic and talented group of players who are hungry to win and I look forward to starting with them on the training ground.”

Nash made 38 appearances for Canada’s senior team, which includes matches at the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup – Canada’s lone North American title.

York United finished the regular season in the fourth and final playoff spot with an 8-12-8 record (36 points) across 28 matches. The Nine Stripes fell to Forge FC in the semi-final by a score of 3-1, a match that ended Brennan’s three-year reign with the side.

York United FC is thrilled to announce Martin Nash as the club's new Head Coach.#UnitedByYou | #WelcomeMartinhttps://t.co/ojPGK1tOcY

— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) December 21, 2021