The Halifax Wanderers have made their first signing of the 2025 Canadian Premier League season with the addition of Canadian defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère. The signing, which will be official on January 1, 2025, is for a two-year contract that runs through the 2026 season. 

Meilleur-Giguère, 27, is a veteran central defender with over 200 career appearances. He won the 2021 CPL championship as a member of Pacific FC, serving as one of the team’s captains during his time on the West Coast. 

“Thomas is a player with a tremendous track record, a proven winner and natural leader who will give us one of the league’s strongest backlines going into 2025,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “We identified Thomas early in our recruitment process as a top domestic target. It was a team effort to secure his services and we are delighted Thomas chose to make this next step of his career with us in Halifax.”

From Repentigny, Quebec, Meilleur-Giguère began his career at the CF Montréal Academy, signing his first professional contract in 2016. He went on to make 21 appearances for Montreal’s USL Championship affiliate, FC Montreal, scoring two goals. Meilleur-Giguère then spent the next three seasons on loan with Ottawa Fury in the USL, making 70 appearances and contributing two goals. 

In 2020, Meilleur-Giguère signed with Pacific FC, making his CPL debut against the Wanderers during The Island Games. He was a crucial part of the club’s run to the 2021 CPL championship, playing every minute of playoff action for Pacific, including the CPL final, where he made several key defensive plays on the way to a 1-0 victory over Forge FC. 

“I want to win a trophy with Halifax,” Meilleur-Giguère said. “The stadium is the best atmosphere in the league, and the playoff game (at the Wanderers Grounds) in 2023 was so electric! Speaking to Patrice, it was clear they want to go for the championship, and that’s what drives me every day.”

Over his four seasons at Pacific FC, Meilleur-Giguère made 120 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals. He is also a former Canadian U-20 international, representing Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. 

“Thomas is a leader on and off the pitch that will be a big addition to our returning backline; we’re excited to have him next season,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “He reads the game at a high level and is great at both defending and attacking set-pieces.”

Full Name: Thomas Meilleur-Giguère

Age: 27

Position: Defender

Height: 6’1”

Birth Date: November 13, 1997

Birthplace: Repentigny, Quebec

Nationality: Canadian

Last Club: Pacific FC