The Halifax Wanderers have renewed the development contract of Halifax-born defender Yorgos Gavas for the 2024 CPL Season.
“We have been proud to see Yorgos’ growth during his time in our program and believe he is a young player with high potential and technical ability that fits the type of players we want to be Wanderers,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “Hopefully, Yorgos’ story can bring inspiration and confidence to other local players so they believe they can compete at this level.”
Gavas, 17, spent the majority of his development time with local side Halifax Dunbrack. In 2021, he joined the residency of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, spending two years in Vancouver, training with the Whitecaps and attending school.
A left-footed left-back, Gavas signed a development deal with the Wanderers during the 2023 season. He made two appearances for the Wanderers Development Team during the 2023 International Summer Series. Gavas scored in the Wanderers exhibition match against German club Holstein Kiel at the Wanderers Grounds on July 8. He also played for Suburban FC during the summer of 2023.
“We remain committed to investing in young local talent who show the commitments and abilities to flourish in our environment,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “Each season we’ve evolved our development pathways to identify and nurture high potential local talent by integrating them in first team training and development squad exhibition series as we prepare them to take that next step. We’re happy to see Yorgos follow in the footsteps of former Wanderers players like Christian Oxner, Kieran Baskett and Scott Firth, who were developed in our region.”
League roster rules allow clubs to sign up to four Development Contracts with Canadian U18 players (born January 1, 2005, or later). Development players can appear in up to eight matches in a season.
Full Name: Yorgos Gavas
Age: 17
Position: Defender
Height: 5’7”
Birth Date: November 1, 2006
Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Halifax Wanderers