The Halifax Wanderers Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Canadian attacking midfielder Aidan Daniels.

Daniels, a member of the Canada U23 National Team, has signed a deal through 2023 which includes a Club Option for the 2023 season.

“I’m really excited by Aidan’s signing,” says Head Coach Stephen Hart. “We know we need to add some goals and creativity from wide positions going into next season and Aidan will certainly bring that with his quality on the ball, his ability to beat players and his finishing. He is a very important signing for us.”

Daniels was a member of Canada Soccer’s team that competed in the 2021 Concacaf Men’s Olympic qualifying in Guadalajara, Mexico. He joins the Wanderers after spending four seasons in the USL with Toronto FC 2, Ottawa Fury, Colorado Switchbacks and OKC Energy where he amassed over 125 games.

“I just think with the CPL growing every year it’s a good opportunity at the moment to help grow the league and grow myself as well,” explains the attacking midfielder from Scarborough, Ontario. “I like the way the team plays so I think it will suit my game and I also know a few guys on the team – I’ve known Mateo (Restrepo) since I was about 10 years old.”

Wanderers Sporting Director Matt Fegan feels Daniels signing shows how the Club can continue to attract the best talent.

“Aidan checks a lot of boxes for us and was our #1 target for the 2022 season,” explains Fegan. “We always want to attract the best young Canadian talent to come to Halifax. It’s a great environment to play in front of the best fans in the league and continue your development under Stephen and his staff.”

“Despite only turning 24 this year, Aidan has a wealth of experience in different environments which we also felt was important to bring into the dressing room.”

Head Coach Stephen Hart feels Daniels’ versatility was another attraction as the squad is built to compete at the top of the table in 2022 and beyond.

“Aidan is a versatile player, which I like. He can play through the middle as an attacking mid, behind a striker or out wide where we saw him cause all kinds of problems for defences over the last few seasons. I think the fans are going to love his creativity.”

Daniels, who will wear squad number 13 for Wanderers this season, is eager to get his Wanderers career started.

“I know the Wanderers Grounds has some of the best fans in the league so I’m definitely looking forward to playing in front of them and feeling that energy inside of the stadium,” says Daniels. “Good fans give you that extra boost to perform well and from what I’ve heard the fans are brilliant. I’m just really looking forward to that and getting wins for them.”

The club will provide an update on our new player and coach additions for the 2022 season  every Wednesday throughout the months of January and February as part of our popular ‘Wanderers Wednesday’ series.