York United FC is delighted to confirm the signing of Canadian goalkeeper Matthew Nogueira.
The 23-year-old joins on a one-year deal, plus options.
Most recently with C.S. Marítimo in Portugal, the Toronto native was also included in Mauro Biello’s Canada squad that took part in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in Guadalajara last year. Also in that group was Nogueira’s new New Stripes’ team-mate: left-back Diyaeddine Abzi.
“I chose York United because I know the team has ambitions,” Nogueira says.
“It’s a team that’s growing and I believe I can improve my game here. So, I’m really excited to start the season. I have big ambitions and I think I’m on the right track, especially being here at York. And maybe that can give me a stepping stone back to the national team. The competition here with Niko [Giantsopoulos] will make us both grow. Obviously we’re gonna fight for a spot, but with respect.
“This team should have big ambitions because of the players we have. It’s a great group and I believe we’ll do some special things this season.”
Nogueira has spent quite a large chunk of his career in Portugal, beginning with a number of years at Benfica’s academy. Later, there were stints in the lower-leagues and he made a first professional start for A.D. Fornos de Algodres in October 2017 before moving on to Águeda, where more first-team football followed.
The next year, Nogueira signed with top-flight side Marítimo – then coached by former Benfica and Portuguese midfielder Petit – and made a first senior start for them in December, 2018 in a cup game against GD Estoril Praia.
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“I’ve known Matthew for a long time and even trained him when he was 16/17,” says Camilo Benzi, the club’s goalkeeping coach.
“He went to Europe and played a few years in Portugal. He’s going to be competition for Niko and we need to keep the standard, with both keepers fighting to play and bringing the level up. The intensity gets better.”
For Angus McNab, York United CEO/President & GM, the move makes a lot of sense.
“I’m really happy with the process Camilo [Benzi] put in place that led to him identifying Matthew and we’ve added further strength to our goalkeeping group now,” he says.
“Everyone knows that we’ve had a number of young, talented keepers training with us during our pre-season but Matthew was the clear choice to come into the group and push Niko every day. Goalkeepers need to play games and some of the keepers we looked at need the experience of a full season in League One Ontario as – at this point – we don’t have academy or reserve opportunities. But, they will continue to work with Camilo whenever possible and he has done a great job in creating a depth chart here and developing these guys.”