A month ago, Juan Córdova received an intriguing message. It was from York United assistant coach Mauro Eustáquio, who wanted to get a sense of the 28-year-old’s club situation and future ambitions as the Nine Stripes began their roster build for 2024.

Córdova, who was playing for Ñublense in the Chilean top division, instantly expressed his interest in being a part of that project. The Chilean-Canadian had previously been in Canadian men’s national team camp with Mauro’s brother, Stephen, and was looking for a new opportunity after spending the past decade playing professionally in Chile.

On Thursday, York United made his signing official.

“I am very interested to join York United because I want a new challenge,” Córdova told CanPL.ca. “I want to improve my level, I have to play more because in my last team I didn’t play a lot so now I want to play more. It is a new challenge for me, and the league of course for me is very interesting because it’s a young league but it is growing a lot. For me, it is a very big step in my career and I hope to do very well.”

Córdova had other options, as he received offers from two other top-division clubs in Chile, and two second-division clubs as well. He also says he received interest from CPL regular season winners Cavalry FC last season, but ultimately he felt York was the best option and signing with the Nine Stripes became his priority.

“They want to build a strong team,” said Córdova. “There’s new owners in the club and they want to achieve things. For me, it’s the most important thing. I want to achieve titles with the team, I want to compete. I am a very competitive player so that is what I was looking for. That was the main reason that I joined York United.”

Córdova’s signing is an indication of that ambition at York United under new owners Game Plan Sports. The Los Andes-born fullback has been playing professionally in Chile since 2013, including over 100 matches with Huachipato in the Chilean Primera División. He has experience playing in some of the world’s top club competitions and is looking to bring that level to the Canadian Premier League.

“I played Copa Libertadores, I played Copa Sudamericana, and also I was part of the national team,” he said. “So with my experience, I can bring the competitive, because I am a competitive player so I want to improve myself and my teammates too. If I play I can bring my experience into the match, into the young players too, and my experience playing in South America at the highest level against big teams like Flamengo, Racing, San Lorenzo.”

Córdova’s primary position is right fullback, but during his career he has played in almost every position along both flanks, and as a result, will bring important tactical versatility to the York lineup that was lost with news that Paris Gee will not be returning for 2024.

“I can play in both sides, even as a winger because in my team here we play with a back three, so I used to play as a right midfielder or left midfielder too,” said Córdova. “I am a fast player, I have technique too. I am also a physical player.” 

He says, however, that he doesn’t like talking too much about his ability as a footballer but instead prefers to prove it to those who watch him on the field. After all, talk that isn’t backed up is just that.

“I don’t like to say a lot about me because I prefer people to watch me play… because you can say, ‘Oh, I am Messi,’ but then you can not be good enough,” he added with a laugh. 

Córdova will also bring with him a familiarity with a number of the league’s players having played in the 2017 Canada U-23 squad with Kadin Chung, Manny Aparicio and Jordan Hamilton among others, while suiting up alongside Fraser Aird, Marco Carducci and Amer Didić with the senior national team.

Asked if he reached out to any of them to inquire about the league, however, he says he kept this move pretty low profile and didn’t talk to many people. He did, however, speak with fellow Chilean-Canadian Diego Gutiérrez, who just completed a move of his own to Cavalry FC after captaining Valour last season.

“He talked to me about little things about the league. He told me it’s a good league, it is growing very fast, you will like it,” said Córdova. “That guy is the only guy who knew I am moving to the CPL.”

Back in Canada, Córdova is hoping this move will also attract renewed interest from the national team. He was last called up in 2019 for a match which saw Canada shock the United States 2-0 at BMO Field, their first victory over their neighbours to the south in 34 years. Córdova, who played youth international matches for Chile before appearing twice with Canada at the senior level, has made it a mission to again pull on a red shirt in the coming years.

“For sure, that is one of the reasons that I chose to come back to Canada because there is the Copa América near, then there is the World Cup, so those are my goals in the future,” he said. “For that, I have play very well for York United to again be part of the national team. Then obviously you never know what can happen in soccer, because you can be here and then you go up [in level] so quickly. Those are my goals now, going back to the national team and I hope I can achieve that.” 

For now, however, Córdova is looking forward to proving himself in the green of York United. His signing is undoubtedly a signal that the Pasquel brothers mean business as they look to push the club to new heights.