Analysis: Wanderers sign veteran 'keeper Marco Carducci to two-year deal
The Halifax Wanderers made another statement on Monday as the club announced they'd signed 29-year old goalkeeper Marco Carducci to a two-year deal. He heads to Nova Scotia following seven seasons with Cavalry FC and a deliberation process which saw him bet on himself.
The recruitment of the veteran 'keeper is the club's second big announcement over the last few weeks, having signed former Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini to a three-year deal. Many around the CPL consider Sartini's appointment as one of the biggest signings in league history.
Together, Sartini and Carducci represent a strong start to the Wanderers' off-season and marks — through words and actions — the club's commitment to rising to another level in 2026. Winning a trophy of some sort remains the ultimate goal.
Examining Carducci's profile
Carducci's resumé is unlike any Wanderers 'keeper before him: he joins the club with significant experience, a familiar profile and several accolades to his name, including two CPL Golden Gloves, a CPL Shield and a North Star Cup.
He also joins the Wanderers as the league's all-time winner in regulation wins (85), clean sheets (54) and is routinely in the Golden Glove conversation (five nominations).
However, in a world of lighthouse-sized 'keepers, Carducci stands at 6-foot-1 (185 cm) and is much shorter than the club's two most recent starters. Rayane Yesli, who remains on club option until Dec. 31 but has been linked to a club in Algeria, is an impressive 6-foot-8 (203 cm) while Yann Fillion manned between the sticks at 6-foot-4 (193 cm). What Carducci lacks in size, he makes up for in determination and grit and he's consistently one of the best in the league by goals against average (1.06 GAA over the last three seasons).
He self-describes as a modern 'keeper comfortable with the ball at his feet and confident building up from the back. Statistically, he heads to Halifax with good distribution numbers but having conceded a career worst 39 goals.
“Marco is a fantastic goalkeeper who immediately adds leadership and championship-winning experience to our roster,” Sartini said in a press release.
“His consistency and ability to read the game are top-level and bring confidence to his defenders. His quality has always stood out to me, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our team in Halifax.”
Where does Carducci fit into Halifax's plans?
Although Sartini declined to commit to a formation when he was announced on Dec. 10, he's habitually played a back three in an attacking-minded system. His comments with several media outlets suggest he'll do so again, not to mention during his interview with HFX Football Post, which noted the need to build off centre-backs like Kareem Sow and Jefferson Alphonse, who remain on club options but are expected to be brought back.
Playing with three centre-backs and wing-backs provides a lot of flexibility tactically but also leaves teams susceptible to long balls and counter-attacks. The Wanderers will be relying on Carducci — who chose Halifax over potential options because he'd get to be a key player in their system — to be a strong distributor and, at times, sweeper 'keeper when his teammates get caught in transition.
One asset which Carducci highlighted during his interview with HFX Football Post was his leadership and experience in big moments, ranging from Cavalry's 2-1 victory over Pumas UNAM in Concacaf Champions Cup to beating Forge FC to hoist the North Star Cup in 2024.
The Wanderers have continually faltered in big matches throughout the club's history. Most recently, they conceded twice from a leading position to York United FC (now Inter Toronto) in the 2025 CPL playoffs and failed to win a single elimination match during former head coach Patrice Gheisar's tenure. They lost all fives elimination matches split between the Canadian Championship and CPL playoffs since 2023.
They'll be looking to Carducci to stand tall in those key moments.
"I think the experience (of winning) is just so valuable," explained Carducci of big matches. "I'll be the first to admit, I've lost a lot of big matches, too, and I'll be the first to recognize that. I think there's a piece of it that I've been fortunate to be in that environment enough times. Taking that next step the way the Wanderers want to achieve, it's leaning on that experience of playing in big matches, playing in elimination games and finding a way to win."
As noted, Carducci's had his fair share of heartbreak. He was part of a Cavalry squad that lost three different CPL finals. And two of the league's most celebrated goals — Tristan Borges' olímpico in 2023 and David Rodríguez 'icicle' kick this year— were scored against him.
Carducci said the Wanderers' belief in him sold him on the project.
Looking at the Wanderers' competitive window
Through actions and words, Wanderers president and founder Derek Martin has made his demands very clear over the next two seasons: the club needs to win something.
Looking at the squad with the addition of Carducci, not to mention Sartini's contract through 2028, the Wanderers are in good standing. They've veteran cornerstones at every position with Thomas Meilleur-Giguère on defence, Lorenzo Callegari and Isaiah Johnston at midfield and reigning Best Canadian U-21 Player Tiago Coimbra at striker. Carducci fits well with the above players from a profile and age perspective, giving the club a strong spine to rely on through this competitive window.
Expectations, however, have sunk the Wanderers before. Their 2024 season was an unmitigated disaster. But a more veteran squad, with championship experience on their resumés, should go a long way in steering the ship clear of any shoals.
Carducci will play a big part in setting the tone for the year. His desire to play all but guarantees that Yesli, who is looking to secure a spot at the FIFA World Cup with the Algerian national team, is likely to move on.
The Wanderers are betting Carducci is up for the challenge of helping them to the first trophy in club history. His signing gives them a dependable, veteran option to lean on with championship experience. It's a profile that could go a long way in helping them break through in 2026.
"My piece (in being competitive), I take as a responsibility. This is not about sailing off into the sunset. I think there's a ton of growth in me yet and I feel like I've got a lot to give. Now, it's about turning that into results and trophies," he said.
"That's a clear message that was sent. I think everything around bringing in a coach like Vanni and the club's ambitions are about results."
Anything other than silverware over this window will be considered a failure. How Sartini and the club surround their promising core and build depth will go a long way in determining if their aspirations will be met. Carducci's signature is a strong start assuming he plays to his abilities.
Cover Photo Credit: Salman Bhanji / Canadian Premier League
