The Halifax Wanderers are excited to announce the signing of Canadian midfielder Marcello Polisi to a one year contract with a club option for 2022.

A midfielder from Coquitlam, BC, Marcello Polisi joined Whitecaps FC Residency in September 2011 after being a member of the club’s Prospects program and representing Western Canada at the youth level.

Polisi was called up to the Canadian National U-15 Team for the Copa Mexico de Naciones Sub-15, a boys’ U-15 tournament in Ciudad de Mexico. More recently Polisi has competed at the NCAA, representing Simon Fraser University since 2016.

“Marcello is a central midfielder, more of a holding type midfielder, good passer of the ball, sort of gives more coverage for the midfield than we presently have which is a more attack-minded midfield,” explains Wanderers Head Coach and General Manager Stephen Hart. “He’s a different type of player, he’s more of a traditional sort of holding midfielder.”

Polisi will be meeting the team in Winnipeg for the beginning of the Canadian Premier League season as the turnaround time on his required 14 day quarantine in Nova Scotia would not have been completed to join training in Halifax before departure for the Kick Off.

“For me, I want to establish myself right away and make an impact on the team as quickly as I can,” says the 24-year-old midfielder. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to do just that.”

Polisi is now the 22nd confirmed player on the Wanderers 2021 roster.

Marcello jumped on a phone call with Wanderers Brand Manager Dylan Lawrence to discuss his playing career so far, what he’s looking forward to with the Wanderers and his predictions for the 2021 Euros.

Dylan Lawrence: Congratulations on the contract, Marcello. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your playing career so far?

MP: Yeah thank you. I grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia my whole life. I played for Provincial teams there and eventually joined the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program from 11 until 18. I moved on to play with Simon Fraser University during the school year and also played in the USL League 2 for SS Rovers, and now finally have this great opportunity with HFX Wanderers.

DL: When was it in your career you knew you wanted to pursue a career in soccer.

MP: I probably knew that I had aspirations – maybe a bit later than most footballers but around the age of 14. That’s around the time I realized it’s something I really love and want to have as a career.

DL: Looking back to when you got the offer with the Wanderers, what did that moment mean to you?

MP: It meant everything to me. This is something I’ve been working towards for a very long time and I’m grateful that Coach (Stephen) Hart has trusted me and believed in me to come in and positively impact the team and win games.

DL: How long have you been communicating with Stephen Hart?

MP: I’ve been staying in touch with Stephen over the last couple years. A phone call at least once a year to stay in touch and see where he was at, where I was at with my career – finally we were talking and within two or three days he told me he was interested in signing me and the next day I got the phone call from him to confirm.

DL: That’s great. Can you help paint the picture for us of what you were up to when you got the call?

MP: When I got the call I was actually making breakfast. I was sitting in my kitchen just eating breakfast and of course became full of emotions and was really excited. I’m extremely grateful for him trusting in me and believing in me and giving me this opportunity to showcase myself at the professional level.

DL: Were you with anyone to share the good news?

MP: Haha well actually all my family members were out of the house – the first thing I did was call my two brothers to let them know and they were extremely happy for me.

DL: What have you heard about the Wanderers and what excites you about representing this club?

MP: I’ve heard such great things about the fan base – I’ve heard that it’s the only professional sports club in the city. I’ve heard about the environment at the games and how the stands get packed, it gets really exciting and I’ve just heard a lot of great things about Halifax in general. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the community and the people.

DL: What attracts you to a club like HFX Wanderers that has a strong fan base?

MP: It makes everything so much more exciting when the fans are involved – from everything I’ve seen it looks like a very community-focused fan group which I find rare in this big North American market. The tight-knit, fan-based interactions the people have with the players and the club, I think it’s really cool.

DL: Outside of the game itself, what else about Halifax excites you about coming out here?

MP: I’ve heard it’s a beautiful city and that it’s a bit more calm and relaxed than Vancouver so I’m looking forward to that change of pace.

DL: With Euros beginning today, what are your predictions?

MP: Obviously I want Italy to go as far as possible but I would say my three favourites to win it would be France, Portugal and Germany but they’re all in the same group so that will be very interesting, but I’d bet on those three teams personally.

DL: Looking past the Euros and towards the beginning of the CPL’s 2021 season, what are you looking forward to and hoping the team can accomplish this year?

MP: It looks like the team is already cohesive so I’m hoping to gel in with the team quickly and become accustomed to everyone. I’m just really looking forward to getting on the field and winning games with the team and bringing something back for the Wanderers fan base.

2021 Season Ticket Memberships are available online. Members will receive additional benefits in 2021 including 50% off a jersey for every season seat purchased, 20% off the Wanderers Fan Shop and more!