Cavalry FC announced on Wednesday the return of Oliver Minatel, who has become the club’s Head of Recruitment and Player Development.

Minatel joined Cavalry FC back in the club’s inaugural season in 2019, where he made 39 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing two assists. Minatel affectionately earned the nickname “The Ghost” following a very productive 2019 season, due to his ability to arrive in the opposition box at the right time to create goal scoring opportunities.

Unfortunately, Minatel’s 2020 season was cut short during the Island Games due to a severe injury that led to a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg. Minatel would return to the pitch with Cavalry in 2021, but his season was significantly disrupted by further injuries because of the recovery process from the double injury to his leg.

Minatel later signed for York United FC in 2022 under former Cavalry FC assistant coach, now York United FC head coach Martin Nash, before later announcing that he would be retiring from playing midway through the season. While he was still playing, Minatel pursued an education where he attended online university programs that granted him a degree in business, as well as his MBA in Sports Management.

Minatel has now rejoined the club in a new role as Head of Recruitment and Player Development, where he will oversee the club’s recruitment strategy, networking for future player sales, as well as working alongside Cavalry FC U-20 Coach and former teammate, Jay Wheeldon within the club’s pathway system for the development of local talent.

“I’m very excited and beyond grateful for this opportunity,” says Minatel. “For all the coaching staff and owners to bring me back and to give me this chance to start this career means everything. This club helps people like myself achieve all their goals and put us into positions where we deserve to be, and I am forever thankful.”

Added Cavalry FC coach and general manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr.: “This is a really pleasing moment for us as a club, to be able to bring back another former player that has worn our crest on the field to now return in a new chapter to help grow our club brand strategically off of it. Oliver was a highly intelligent and skillful player and an absolute pleasure to work with. The combination of his vast and global playing experience, along with his educational achievements will only further help our club growth continue both domestically and internationally.”