The Halifax Wanderers Football Club has signed Canadian defender Cristian Campagna through the 2023 Canadian Premier League season with a club option for 2024. 

Campagna, 20, made 19 appearances for Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in MLS Next Pro this season, serving as the team’s captain.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Cristian to Halifax; he’s a player we have followed through his early development in Vancouver,” Wanderers sporting director Matt Fegan said. “He has his best years ahead of him at only 20 years old. He displays excellent leadership qualities across the backline and is an excellent ball-playing centre-back.”

Campagna was a priority target for the Wanderers following the departure of defender Mateo Restrepo in late July. The club would like to extend its gratitude to the Vancouver Whitecaps for arranging for Campagna to be released to the Wanderers as his contract was set to run until the end of 2022.

“This deal took a while to come together, mostly because of Cristian’s commitments and importance to the Whitecaps 2 season. I want to thank their organization for supporting Cristian’s request to make the next step in his career, and we’ll look forward to welcoming him to our squad.”

During his time with the Whitecaps, Campagna was also included in several of the most recent Canadian Men’s National Team Training Camps. He trained with John Herdman’s squad throughout the team’s run to qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

“The fact he is trusted as a regular member of that group, at a pivotal time in preparation for the World Cup speaks volumes for his abilities and character,” Fegan said. “From a young age, Cristian was surrounded by quality professionals, and he carries that experience into how he conducts himself as an individual.”

Campagna’s signing is the fifth addition to the Wanderers roster in August, joining defender Gabriel Escobar and development players Adisa de Rosario (goalkeeper), Nassim Nouajaa (defender) and Owen Degelman (forward). Along with Mateo Restrepo, the club has seen the departure of defenders Kareem Sow and Colin Gander to their respective U SPORTS programs on August 15.

“It’s certainly been a busy couple of months preparing for these changes, strengthening the squad in key areas and building not only for now, but with an eye on the future,” said Fegan. “We have attracted players from all three Canadian MLS teams and worked in collaboration with those clubs to provide excellent next steps in the careers of these young Canadian players. Now they each have a chance to develop their abilities with us and we are proud they chose Halifax to continue their own professional football journeys.”

Campagna is traveling to Halifax on Friday and will join his teammates at training following the Wanderers match on August 20 against Pacific FC.

Full Name: Cristian Campagna

Age: 20

Position: Defender

Height: 6’1”

Birth Date: Nov 29, 2001

Birthplace: Vancouver, BC

Nationality: Canadian

Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps

Pronunciation: KRIS-jan cam-PAN-yah

Jersey number: 4