York United FC is excited to announce the signing of Canadian midfielder Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old brings a wealth of experience to The Nine Stripes, having made close to 200 professional appearances across various competitions since his debut back in September 2013.

A native of Sherbrooke, QC, Gagnon-Laparé started out with Montreal Impact’s reserve side and got some early opportunities as a teenager playing in USL (United Soccer League) Pro. He graduated to the first team under Frank Klopas and made his bow in a Canadian Championship semi final first leg encounter with FC Edmonton in May 2014.

Later that summer, he made his Major League Soccer debut in an away clash with Real Salt Lake and went on to rack up a further four appearances that season. He also competed in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time, featuring in a pair of group games against New York Red Bulls. In 2015, he signed a loan deal with the Ottawa Fury, then plying their trade in the NASL (North American Soccer League) and was a part of their memorable run to the Championship final. In the decider against New York Cosmos – who boasted Spanish legends Raul and Marcos Senna – Gagnon-Laparé came off the bench and played the last 18 minutes as the Fury narrowly lost 3-2.

Across 2015 and 2016, he was an integral part of FC Montreal’s two seasons in the USL and following an impressive stint in France with lower league side AS Vitre, he returned to the league and to the Ottawa Fury, this time on a permanent deal. After two seasons in the capital, he stayed in the USL Championship and moved to Saint Louis FC but Canada came calling once again in 2021 and he signed with CPL side HFX Wanderers. In his two years there, Gagnon-Laparé made 44 appearances and was a standout midfielder in the league, his mercurial left foot consistently setting the tone for the team. Overall, he managed over 3,500 minutes of action and added four assists.

As a new member of The Nine Stripes, Gagnon-Laparé will now get reacquainted with some familiar faces. During his first stint with the Fury, current York United boss Martin Nash served as an assistant to Marc dos Santos while Mauro Eustáquio – now part of Nash’s technical staff – was a team-mate.

“Jeremy joining is very exciting for us all,” says Angus McNab, York United FC’s CEO/President and GM. “For me, he’s been one of the best midfielders in the league over the past couple of seasons. He’s very comfortable on the ball and his ability to craft a pass is something we’ve admired from afar. If you speak to anyone who has played with him or coached him they only have fantastic things to say about Jeremy as a person. Martin worked with him at the Fury and I know he’s looking forward to doing so again.”

Nash is a fan of Gagnon-Laparé’s intelligence and technical nous, and feels he can contribute handsomely to the team.

“Jeremy is a very smart and versatile midfielder, with great technique and vision,” says the Head Coach.

Gagnon-Laparé is the second new signing announced by the club, following the recent acquisition of Elijah Adekugbe.