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HFX Wanderers FC complete 2020 CPL roster by signing two Brazilians

HALIFAX — HFX Wanderers FC have signed a pair of Brazilians in attacking midfielder Joao Morelli and defender Eriks Santos.
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HALIFAX — HFX Wanderers FC have signed a pair of Brazilians in attacking midfielder Joao Morelli and defender Eriks Santos.

"Morelli can make that final pass and has shown he can score goals from open play or free-kicks which we lacked last season," Wanderers head coach Stephen Hart said in a statement. "Santos is composed at the back and looks very good in the air and, of course, his defending qualities have been developing in some difficult leagues."

The 23-year-old Morelli joins the Canadian Premier League side after a season in the Estonian top flight with FC Levadia, following stints in England with Middlesbrough and Fleetwood Town.

"I'm really excited, I see the football there is growing really fast in Canada and I think I can bring something different and some Brazilian blood and try to put on a show and bring victories and goals," Morelli said in a statement.

Morelli had 27 goals in 54 appearances for FC Levadia.

The 24-year-old Santos spent the last two seasons in the Georgian Premier League, making 29 appearances for FC Dila Gori. Before that he played in Ukraine for FC Mariupol.

The signings complete the Wanderers roster at 21 including the club's two U-Sports draft picks — striker Cory Bent and defender Jake Ruby.

Training camp is slated to start in March with the season opener April 13 at York 9 FC. The team's home opener at the Wanderers Grounds is April 25 against expansion Atletico Ottawa.

 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2020.

The Canadian Press