The Halifax Wanderers have signed Canadian U21 defender Jefferson Alphonse to a contract for the remainder of the 2024 CPL season with club options for 2025 and 2026. 

Alphonse, 21, joins the Wanderers from CS Saint-Laurent in League1 Quebec, where he played a crucial role in the club’s run to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Championship against Toronto FC. Alphonse played the full 90 minutes in every match for Saint-Laurent. 

“Jefferson is an elite 1-v-1 defender with a warrior mentality,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “We’ve been impressed by his ability, having seen him with our group last season and playing against us this year. He’s also a U21 that fits the type of player we were looking to add to our team.”

Alphonse is no stranger to the setup in Halifax. In 2023, he featured in all three matches for Wanderers U23 during the International Summer Series against German Club Holstein Kiel. He is also a former Canadian youth international, representing his country in the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. 

From Anjou, Québec, Alphonse is a central defender who was developed at the CF Montréal Academy. He played significant minutes for CF Montréal’s U-23 team in the PLSQ, captaining the team in several matches. 

His signing gives the Wanderers a total of eight U21 players available for selection during the CPL season, joining Aiden Rushenas, Daniel Clarke, Yorgos Gavas, Camilo Vasconcelos, Remi Agunbiade, Tavio Ciccarelli and Tiago Coimbra in the squad.  

“We’re delighted to welcome Jefferson into our first team squad as we continue our investment in top young Canadian talent,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “Our coaches have had a chance to work with him before through our U21 development squad, and he has had a chance to see what we’re about. 

“Our player development program has become a solid platform to evaluate and prepare young players in our environment before making the step to the first team. Our strong working relationship with Saint-Laurent has also allowed us to remain in contact with their club management to keep tabs on his development through their successes.”

Full Name: Jefferson Alphonse

Age: 21

Position: Defender

Height: 6’1”

Birth Date: June 12, 2003

Birthplace: Anjou, Québec

Nationality: Canadian/Haitian

Last Club: CS Saint-Laurent (League1 Québec)