The Halifax Wanderers have signed Canadian defender Nassim Mekideche to a contract through the 2025 Canadian Premier League season with a club option for 2026.

Mekideche, 24, joins the Wanderers as a free agent following a season in Tunisia’s top division with US Monastir. He has previously played for Sporting Kansas City II (MLS Next Pro), Valour FC (CPL), CS Hammam-Lif (Tunisia) and JS Kabylie (Algeria). 

“Nassim is a player that we have been working to bring to Halifax for the last few months so we’re excited to have him here,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “He’s very good in aerial duels and a brave, in-your-face type defender that can also help move the ball from the back.” 

Born and raised in Montreal, Mekideche is a left-footed centre-back who returned to his roots in Algeria to begin his professional career with top-flight club JS Kabylie. He made his debut for the club in 2018. In 2021, he joined Tunisian side CS Hammam-Lif before returning to Canada with Valour FC in the summer of 2022, making ten appearances and registering one assist.

Mekideche’s play at Valour earned him invitations to multiple MLS training camps, joining Sporting Kansas City for the club’s 2023 preseason. He then signed with Sporting KC II in MLS Next Pro, where he made an immediate impact, scoring in the club’s season opener. Mekideche would go on to make 21 appearances for Sporting KC II. He established himself as a steady presence from the back, averaging seven interceptions per match. 

After the 2023 MLS Next Pro season, Mekideche returned to Tunisia, signing with US Monastir.

“We’re delighted to finally welcome Nassim to Halifax, a talented Canadian-Algerian player who has all the attributes to be a strong addition to our Halifax Wanderers backline,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “We’ve followed Nassim’s development over the past several seasons and look forward to being part of this next step in his journey.”

Mekideche arrived in Halifax several days ago and has been training with the squad ahead of the Wanderers match on Sept. 14 against Forge FC.

Full Name: Nassim Mekideche

Age: 24

Position: Defender

Height: 6’2”

Birth Date: April 30, 2000

Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec

Nationality: Canada/Algeria

Last Club: US Monastir (Tunisia)