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HFX Wanderers FC

HFX Wanderers Sign Locally Born Goalkeeper and Versatile Defender

February 20, 2019 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
HFX Wanderers FC News Release


Halifax, N.S. - HFX Wanderers FC have added experience and youth to the roster with the signings of defender Alex De Carolis and goalkeeper Christian Oxner.

26-year-old De Carolis is signing for the club after playing for the past three seasons in Sweden, most recently for Umeå FC. Halifax-born Oxner, who is 22, is putting pen to paper to become an official Wanderers player after initially being chosen by the club at the CPL-U SPORTS draft last November.

"De Carolis has shown the character in terms of his determination and hard work to make it as a professional," said Wanderers coach Stephen Hart. "Christian is another player who has worked tremendously hard to get where he is, he deserves this opportunity."

Born and raised in Sarnia, Ont., De Carolis has earned the reputation of being a tireless left full-back who gets up and down the flank, but can also play centre-back or in midfield.

He's already quite well travelled having played in college for Canisius in Buffalo at the NCAA Division 1 level, as well as in Seattle with the Sounders youth system, before his soccer journey took him to Europe.

After establishing himself as a professional in Sweden where he played for three different clubs, he describes his move back to Canada to be a part of the Wanderers team as a "no brainer."

"I think it's cool to be part of history in the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League," De Carolis said. "I wanted to be a part of it."

Oxner, who grew up in Clayton Park, is completing a dream move to his hometown team after an exceptional youth career in which he won a national championship and three provincial titles with local club team Western Halifax FC.

After first being noticed by Dunbrack where he played as a youngster, he also starred in goal for Saint Mary's Huskies.

Drafted as a university prospect, Oxner was expecting to fight for a spot on the Wanderers squad in preseason trials, until Stephen Hart called him.

"It feels good, I was so glad to get drafted but now I'm getting the chance to represent the city I grew up in so now I can play with freedom and I'm excited," he said.

The new signings take the Wanderers number of confirmed players to 13.

The club will be announcing more signings in the next few weeks as the first Canadian Premier League season, kicking off in April gets ever closer.

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