Oct. 20: York9 FC Signs Argentinian midfielder Mateo Hernández
Argentinian attacking midfielder Mateo Hernández signed from Superliga side Club Atlético Colón. Hernández made seven first-team appearances for Colon last season and has played in the Copa Sudamericana.
“Since early June, I’ve been in discussions with Mateo’s representative about bringing him to our club”, said Angus McNab, York9 FC managing consultant.
“He is a player who can play on both wings and also as a creative attacking midfielder. One of the most impressive things is his ability to see a line-breaking pass and release others and that’s something we certainly needed to add to the group.”
Oct. 16: Striker Alvaro Rivero re-signs with York9 FC
Spanish striker Alvaro Rivero signed with York9 FC for the 2021 season, with options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The 23-year-old Rivero Real Madrid youth academy product scored one goal in seven appearances at the Canadian Premier League Island Games in 2020.
“I’m very happy that we managed to get this deal with Alvaro agreed and signed,” said Angus McNab, York9 FC managing consultant. “We saw enough in Alvaro that excited us to bring him back. His finish against Pacific was exceptional and we need to manufacture a lot more opportunities for him and all of our forwards next year.
“Our creation of opportunities in open play was certainly the most disappointing aspect in 2020 and we’ll work hard this off season to look at how we train and who we bring in help that.”
Oct. 13: Max Ferrari signs two-year extension with York9 FC
Canadian midfielder Max Ferrari signed with York9 FC through the end of the Canadian Premier League season. The 20-year-old played in all seven of York9’s games at the Canadian Premier League’s Island Games in 2020.
“I was so happy to offer Max this new deal because he deserved it,” said Angus McNab, York9 FC managing consultant. “I’m delighted he’s agreed to it. He came into 2020 determined to improve and the fact he appeared in every one of our seven Island Games fixtures was a true reward for all the work he has put in.
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“Max realizes this contract doesn’t make him the finished article just yet and his continued willingness to work hard is a great example to our entire squad.”
Oct. 5: Michael Petrasso joins Barnet on loan
Michael Petrasso joined English fifth-tier side Barnet on loan for the remainder of the 2020-2021 season. The 25-year-old Canadian, who recently re-signed with York9 FC for the 2021 season, will return to the Canadian Premier League club in June.
“This is a move that really works when we look at the aims of both the club and player,” said Angus McNab, York9 FC managing consultant. “Ultimately, we need a fully fit Michael Petrasso and getting full-time training and regular minutes is what he needs. When we loan players, it’s done with the best interest of the player and club in mind.
“A fully fit Michael Petrasso playing to his potential will lead to discussions about a return to the Canadian Men’s National Team and adding to his nine caps. He needs games and a full-time environment to get back to that. Barnet have been a pleasure to deal with as we’ve arranged this opportunity and they’re sure to take great care of him.”
Oct. 5: York9 FC signs German striker Julian Ulbricht
German striker Julian Ulbricht for the 2021 and 2022 Canadian Premier League seasons. The 21-year-old spent the last three seasons in the German fourth-tier playing for Hamburg SV’s second team.
“Julian is a player I have been tracking for a while and he’s a guy that really impressed me off the field as much as on it,” said Angus McNab, York9 FC managing consultant. “He’s had other offers in Europe but he wants to come to Canada and play in the CPL.
“He’s been through one of the top academy systems in the world at Hamburg so to sign a player from such an illustrious club and for him to then get the opportunity to continue playing in the same league for Lübeck before coming to us was a perfect arrangement. I think he’ll be an important player for us in 2021 and beyond.”
