The Halifax Wanderers have signed U-21 Canadian attacking midfielder Camilo Vasconcelos to a contract through the 2025 CPL season with club options through 2027.

Vasconcelos, 18, finished the 2023 season with the Wanderers on a Development Contract, making his professional debut later that season.

“We are very excited to commit to Camilo long term as he is a player that immediately showed last year he can play a key role,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “The sky is the limit for him. He has high technical ability, believes in himself and is a U-21 that will be with us for multiple years.”

From Cambridge, Ontario, Vasconcelos burst onto the scene with League1 Ontario side Guelph United. In 2022, Vasconcelos was named the club’s U21 Player of the Year, as the then 17-year-old scored five goals in seven matches with the U21 team to go along with two first-team goals in League1 play. In 2023, Vasconcelos scored another four goals in 11 matches. Vasconcelos’ involvement in the Wanderers setup began that same summer. In July, he started two matches for Wanderers U-23 in the International Summer Series against German side Holstein Kiel. Those matches happened while Vasconcelos was on a training stint with the first team, allowing him to work closely with both head coach Patrice Gheisar and U-23 head coach Jed Davies.

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In September, Vasconcelos signed a development contract with the Wanderers and made his professional debut on Oct. 7 in a match against Valour FC.

“It’s a dream come true, I’m super thrilled; last year was incredible seeing the passion around the club, and I can’t wait to be in that again,” Vasconcelos said. “I am focused on working hard
and proving myself. One big goal for me is to score at the Wanderers Grounds this season, as I know that would be an incredible feeling.”

Capable of playing in either central midfield or on the wing, Vasconcelos also signed a development contract with York United FC in 2023. He made the matchday roster on three occasions in June and July.

“We’re pleased to extend Camilo’s time with us at Wanderers as we continue to invest in the next generation of young Canadian talent,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “Our technical staff had a chance to work with him last season and evaluate his ability to make this next step within the squad. Now we’re looking forward to seeing him grow as a professional and contribute to our mandate for U-21 domestic minutes.”

Vasconcelos is the Wanderers’ third under-21 Canadian under contract, joining returning players Tiago Coimbra and Tomas Giraldo.