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‘Promising young Canadian talent’ Wanderers sign U-20 international Tiago Coimbra
December 14, 2022

The Halifax Wanderers have signed Canadian under-20 international Tiago Coimbra to a multi-year contract through the 2024 Canadian Premier League season with a club option for 2025.

Coimbra, 18, is an exciting young forward signing that joins the Wanderers from Palmeiras, one of the top clubs in Brazil.

“Tiago is a very promising young Canadian talent, and we’re delighted he has chosen the Halifax Wanderers for the next step in his career,” Wanderers Sporting Director Matt Fegan said. “He arrives with an excellent foundation after impressing during his last couple of seasons at Palmeiras as well as for Canada’s under-20 team.”

Born in Brazil, Coimbra moved with his family to Vancouver, BC at the age of 11 and spent time playing with local club Faly Academy. He has since gone on to play for the Canadian U-20 national team, scoring once during the CONCACAF men’s Under-20 Championship.

In 2021, Coimbra joined Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras. The São Paulo-based club won their 11th league championship in 2022. Coimbra recently spent time on both the club’s U-17 and U-20 teams alongside the likes of top Brazilian prospects such as Endrick Felipe. While playing for Palmeiras, Coimbra became known under the name Canadá because of his dual nationality. 

“I’m super excited to join the Wanderers, Halifax will be a new challenge for me and I love that I can feed off that pressure,” Coimbra said. “The fans can expect an exciting player that never stops and leaves everything on the field and is willing to bring the best for his club and teammates.”

Coimbra is the Wanderers’ first under-21 signing for the 2023 season. While still a teenager, the club is excited to see him be a contributor to the first team.

“Our philosophy has been to consistently invest in exciting young players for the future, as well in players who can immediately contribute to the first team. Last season we accumulated the league’s second-highest tally on domestic U21 minutes, almost doubling the 2000-minute minimum requirement. We do believe if any player is good enough, they’re old enough,” Fegan said.

“Although we were able to conclude this deal earlier in the off-season, now that Patrice Gheisar is in place as head coach, his track record of preparing young players for the next level means we’re even more confident this is going to help Tiago’s development.”

Full Name: Tiago de Freitas Guimarães Coimbra

Age: 18

Position: Forward

Height: 6’1

Birth Date: January 17, 2004

Birthplace: Fortaleza, Brazil

Nationality: Canadian, Brazilian

Last Club: Palmeiras U20

Pronunciation: tee-AH-go COIM-bra  

Jersey Number: 19