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“It’s interesting how things come full circle’: Labrador born Nimick returns to Canada with Wanderers
February 17, 2023

Daniel Nimick’s birthplace has been a fun piece of football trivia for most of his life. 

Born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, to an English mother and an Irish/Northern Irish father, Nimick would shortly return to his family’s home. But not before unknowingly finding himself steps from the Wanderers Grounds.

“I actually have photos of me visiting Halifax as a baby,” Nimick said before pulling up a scanned photograph of the Wanderers’ new centre-back in a stroller at the Citadel. 

Nimick’s father was in the Royal Air Force and posted to CFB Goose Bay before his birth. After a year in Canada, the Nimick family moved back to Harrogate, England. That move set the stage for a footballing career that includes eight years at Leeds United’s academy and three more at local professional side Harrogate Town. 

“It’s definitely interesting how things have come full circle, and I’ll be returning to the country where I was born to play football.”

Interesting indeed. The first professional player born in Labrador ends up signing for the only professional team on Canada’s east coast, and it’s his first professional contract on top of that. The Canadian connections don’t stop there, as the Vancouver Whitecaps selected Nimick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. The birthplace that was a reminder of his family’s journey is now an opportunity, with Nimick counting as a domestic player in Canada. And with a Canadian passport, maybe a national team call-up could be in the cards down the road…

But Canadianness aside, Nimick joins the Wanderers after a decorated career in the NCAA at Western Michigan University. He started every match from 2020-2022, scoring 12 goals with seven assists from the back. In 2022, Nimick was named MAC Player of the Year, First Team All-MAC and a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Biomedical Sciences and was an academic All-MAC for the past three seasons. 

“Wanderers fans can expect a ball-playing centre-back that will compete and fight for every result,” Nimick said. “I think my composure and passing range suit the style Patrice is going to implement. I’m looking forward to growing as a player and teammate throughout the season.”

While still just 22, Nimick is being looked at to add some leadership in the locker room. He has served as captain for his youth teams at Leeds United and Harrogate Town, Western Michigan University and in USL League Two for South Bend Lions. 

“I’m grateful to have been given a leadership role at my previous teams, and I am looking to carry that into my time with the Wanderers. I think everyone in the squad has a leadership responsibility.”

“Having Ryan (James) and Dan join our backline this week are massive pieces with their leadership,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Ghesiar said. “They’re not afraid of the stage and are coming in to match the team’s ambition.”

The Wanderers’ newest signing brings a record of both scoring goals and preventing them. With a staggering eight goals (five were game-winners) from the centre-back position in 2022, Nimick also led Western Michigan’s back line to a nation-best defensive record. Conceding just ten times over 21 matches, the Broncos had the least goals against in the entire NCAA. Western Michigan would also advance to the Sweet-16 at this past year’s NCAA tournament; Nimick scored the winning goal to send his team through. 

“He has a great nose for goal and is a fantastic defender,” Gheisar said. “He gives a different  look to our backline where we have very good defenders, but they each complement each other by having different abilities and create competition at the position.”

And now all that’s left to do is hop on a plane in the other direction and return to Halifax for the first time in 21 years. A lot has changed since Nimick’s last visit, especially at the pitch down the street from where his baby photos were taken. 

“Everything I have heard about the city and the people has been positive, so I’m excited to join and add to the community,” Nimick said. “I know the Wanderers fans are the best in the CPL, and the atmosphere at the Grounds looks incredible, so I can’t wait to play in front of them.”