Prior to this past week, the Halifax Wanderers had announced just two new signings ahead of the 2024 season.

But after a busy few days, the Maritime club, who were undoubtedly the comeback story of the league last year, further reinforced their position as a contender heading into 2024 with several noteworthy additions.

Plus, Atlético Ottawa reinforced a strong core of experienced CPLers, a young CPL star is headed to Music City and other big headlines from the past week around the league:

Halifax Wanderers announce five signings during busy week

Even after the best season in club history, the Halifax Wanderers know that in a league as competitive as the CPL, resting on laurels is a dangerous game.

After securing most of their key core players from 2023 earlier this off-season, the club set out to address one area where they felt there was still an opportunity for significant growth: their attacking unit. This past Wednesday, the Wanderers made an impressive double signing, adding striker Christian Volesky, as well as Brazilian attacking midfielder Vitor Dias.

The 31-year-old Volesky has long been one of the most lethal strikers in the USL Championship and will give the Wanderers more experience and quality at the number nine position. Dias, 25, meanwhile, has been a standout in MLS Next Pro.

On Monday, Halifax further strengthened the unit by putting pen to paper with 24-year-old Italian midfielder Giorgio Probo. The former Creighton University player was one of the premier playmakers in NCAA soccer over the past two seasons.

Halifax also added depth and quality in other positions this week, with former CPL – U SPORTS draft pick Kareem Sow bolstering their backline, and 18-year-old midfielder Camilo Vasconcelos. All in all, it is quite the week of business for the club, who now have nineteen players announced as under contract for the 2024 season.

Vancouver FC add Navarro, say goodbye to Bakare

Yet another exciting young talent is joining Vancouver FC, as the club announced the signing of 21-year-old attacker José Navarro.

The Mexican attacker came through the ranks of Liga MX giants UNAM Pumas, playing for various youth sides within their system — including an appearance for the first team.

Navarro will get to learn from compatriot Alejandro Díaz, one of the league’s most lethal strikers who also began his career in Liga MX, with Club América.

Vancouver FC also announced this week that defender Ibrahim Bakare has departed the club. Bakare appeared in 24 CPL matches for Vancouver in their inaugural season.

Atlético Ottawa add Jonathan Grant

A three-time CPL champion is headed to the nation’s capital, as Atlético Ottawa announced the signing of fullback Jonathan Grant this past week.

Grant becomes the first player in league history to sign for all three Ontario clubs, having won the league three times with Forge FC, before joining York United for the 2023 campaign. In total, Grant has played 54 CPL regular season matches between the two other Ontario clubs.

A Guyana international, Grant will bring experience, flexibility and verticality to an Ottawa backline that needed depth after the departures of Luke Singh, Diego Espejo and Miguel Acosta earlier this off-season.

Valour FC sign former Pacific FC striker Abdul Binate

The busiest club of the CPL off-season thus far, Valour FC announced their eleventh new signing this past week, adding Canadian attacker Abdul Binate.

The former CF Montréal academy player spent the past two seasons with Pacific FC, appearing in three matches for the club in 2023. He will bring some valuable U-21 Canadian minutes for the club this coming campaign.

With Binate’s signing, Valour have now signed players who played for five other CPL clubs last year as they double down on adding domestic experience ahead of 2024.

Former Forge FC striker Woobens Pacius signs with Nashville SC

One of the CPL’s most lethal attackers is headed to Music City, as Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC announced the signing of 22-year-old Woobens Pacius this past week.

In 93 matches in all competitions for Forge FC, Pacius scored 32 times. He also won two CPL Finals with the Hamilton club.

He joins a Nashville side that already features former Pacific FC central defender Lukas MacNaughton, as well as Canadian international Jacob Shaffelburg.

CPL announces new match ball for the 2024 and 2025 seasons

On Monday, the Canadian Premier League revealed the stunning new match ball for the league’s 2024 and 2025 campaigns, as well as an extension of its partnership with manufacturer DERBYSTAR.

The partnership, which began in 2020, was celebrated with the unveiling of a sleek and incredibly patriotic red and white design that is sure to catch the eyes of supports and players alike during the next two campaigns.

Coming to the back of a net near you ⚽

Introducing the Derbystar Brillant APS, the new official ball of the Canadian Premier League 🍁 pic.twitter.com/FHEOCdmdmd

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) February 19, 2024