The Halifax Wanderers Football Club is delighted to announce that João Morelli has signed a new two-year contract extension with the club.

Having joined the Wanderers in 2020, Morelli has now committed at least two further seasons to the club for 2022 and 2023. The Brazilian has established himself as one of the top players in the Canadian Premier League earning the 2021 Golden Boot (Top Scorer) and a finalist for Player of the Year.

“It goes without saying that João is a really important piece of our ongoing squad development at Wanderers,” said Sporting Director Matt Fegan. “Extending his contract was a top priority to ensure we retain our best players and compete at the top of the League.”

“We’re pleased to say the negotiations were very smooth. João clearly loves Halifax and wants to be a part of our future and the immediate effort to bring success to our city.”

With 15 goals in 23 games during the 2021 campaign, Morelli is the leading attacking threat in the CPL. Although Wanderers did not achieve their goal of a playoff spot, Morelli was convinced he had seen enough to extend his time at the Wanderers Grounds.

“In 2020 we got really close and we had high hopes this year to finish (the job) but it didn’t go the way we wanted,” explains the 25-year-old attacking midfielder. “I really like this city, this club and the people around it. The players, the staff – the whole thing is really, really nice.”

“I’ve said it before but these have been the best two years of my life for my mental health, for my lifestyle – for everything. Of course, the most important thing for us is to win the league but I’m also coming back for my happiness too.”

Head Coach Stephen Hart was quick to acknowledge the impact of his star forward: “Whenever we have a player of Joao’s quality in our environment, we want to ensure we attract them to stay,” said Coach Hart. “He’s a great personality in our dressing room and raises the level of his teammates in every training session and game.”

The 2021 Canadian Premier League Awards will be held in Toronto on Tuesday, December 14 where Morelli has been nominated for this season’s Player of the Year Award, in addition to his Golden Boot award.

“You first try to achieve titles with the team but obviously as a player you want personal titles too. As a striker and an attacking midfielder it’s important to have numbers and everyone has their eyes on you,” states Morelli as he reflects on his professional career. “Since I started playing professionally I’ve been working to be one of the main players in the league but (being nominated for POTY) encourages you to go again and as a result you will help the team too. It’s of course not my main target to be the best player in the league, but when you get recognized you feel like you’ve done your job right and it motivates me to keep going and do more.”