The Halifax Wanderers Football Club has signed Canadian forward Ryan Robinson to a standard player contract and Canadian midfielder/defender Nic Gagan to a developmental contract.
Robinson, 20, joins the club from League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri, where he scored four goals in six matches during the 2021 season.
“Ryan played against us in our pre-season match with Vaughan and had an excellent game,” head coach Stephen Hart said. “After that, he played in every other pre-season match for us.”
Capable of playing every position along the forward line, Robinson’s past playing experiences include the Toronto FC Academy and FC Manitoba.
“He’s clean with the ball and a technically strong player. His movement is very good and in the end, we felt that he was a good potential player for us.”
Robinson’s signature also ensures the Wanderers meet their roster compliance of at least three Canadian under-21 players. His contract includes club options through 2024.
“This off-season, we have specifically targeted young Canadian players we feel could come into our squad and contribute to our first team,” said sporting director Matt Fegan. “We are committed to exceeding this season’s league requirement of 2000 minutes for Canadian U-21s and have continued to invest in young domestic players to enhance our squad.
PLAYER DETAILS
Full Name: Ryan Robinson
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Height: 5’10
Birth Date: June 30, 2001
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Vaughan Azzurri
Pronunciation:
Jersey number: 27
Gagan, 17, joins the Wanderers from PLSQ (Première ligue de soccer du Québec) side Ottawa South United. Already standing six-foot-four, Gagan can play as either a central midfielder or a centre-back.
“Physically, he’s big, but he reads the game well and is a good passer of the ball,” Hart said. “I think he’s a youngster with a lot of potential once he continues with his present attitude.”
From Orleans, Ontario, Gagan began his soccer career with nearby Ottawa TFC, playing with the club from the U-4 to U-18 level.
“We wouldn’t be signing Nico if we didn’t think he could contribute minutes in our first team, but this is really about investing in another young Canadian with huge potential,” said sporting director Matt Fegan. “Our philosophy is ‘if they’re good enough, they’re old enough.”
Gagan becomes the first under-18 development player to be signed by the Wanderers with an opportunity to develop and compete in a professional environment.
“This season, he will stay in a trusted billet family in our local community. That was paramount for ensuring he is well looked after.”
Under a development contract, Gagan is eligible for selection on Wanderers game-day squads and could play in as many as six matches.
“After that, we decide if he is ready for a full professional contract, but until then, he is considered an additional squad player on top of our allowed roster players,”
Fegan adds that this allows Gagan to maintain his future academic options.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how he develops in our environment, and we’ll give him every chance to succeed.”
Both Robinson and Gagan have joined the Wanderers squad in Ontario ahead of a match with York United FC in the season opener on April 7.
PLAYER DETAILS
Full Name: Nicholas Gagan
Age: 17
Position: Centre-Back/Defensive Midfielder
Height: 6’4
Birth Date: April 14, 2004
Birthplace: Orleans, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Ottawa South United
Pronunciation: GAE-gan
Jersey number: 77
