HFX Wanderers FC fullback and CPL-U SPORTS Draft pick Jake Ruby has signed a professional contract with the club.

Ruby, 20, inked a standard player contract – with options for 2022 and 2023 – after being on a U SPORTS Developmental Contract for the 2020 CPL season.

The former Trinity Western University standout made eight appearances and logged 312 minutes at The Island Games last summer in PEI, emerging as a surprise package for the CPL Finals-bound Wanderers after being selected 16th overall in the 2019 CPL-U SPORTS Draft in Montreal.

“Signing on with Trinity Western, my goal was always to play professionally, so I was hoping it would open opportunities for me and that it would be a stepping stone to the professional pathway,” Ruby said. “Once the CPL-U SPORTS Draft was introduced, it opened that door for me to finally earn a professional contract.”

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Ruby, a native of North Vancouver, is a former member of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy and has represented Canada at the under-17 level, and appeared in USL League Two side TSS Rovers before joining the Wanderers.

Ruby will also continue his post-educational studies while in Halifax.

“We’re pleased to support Jake in his pursuit of a professional career while encouraging his academic aspirations throughout his time in Halifax,” HFX Wanderers VP of Football Operations Matt Fegan said in a media release. “We always believe players should have an eye on their future and education is an important part of setting themselves up properly.”

HFX Wanderers now have 18 players signed for the 2021 CPL season with Ruby joining fellow returnees such as Akeem Garcia, Alex Marshall, and Peter Schaale. Also, the Wanderers selected a pair of young prospects at the recent CPL-U SPORTS Draft, with Stefan Karajovanovic and Kareem Sow earning invites to pre-season training camp.