Former Wanderer Zachary Fernandez signs with Valour FC

Valour FC added another key piece on Tuesday, signing former Halifax Wanderer and attacking full-back Zachary Fernandez through 2025, with a club option for 2026.

Fernandez, 23, arrives in Winnipeg following three seasons with the Wanderers. Signed from then-Première ligue de soccer du Québec side AS Blainville, Fernandez immediately made an impact with his offensive-minded style. He led the Wanderers with assists in his first professional season and had a breakout campaign in 2023, playing a key role in head coach Patrice Gheisar's possession-based system.

As previously reported by The Wanderers Notebook, multiple clubs expressed interest to the Wanderers following Fernandez's breakout campaign.

“There’s definitely some clubs who had shown some interest in potentially giving him a step to the next level,” Wanderers sporting director Matt Fegan said in October, 2023. “We’ll see where it goes after this season.”

However, for whatever reason, no move materialized and Fernandez returned to Halifax for the last year of his deal. The Wanderers quickly fell behind and went winless through their first 10 matches in all competitions. Fernandez, like the rest of the Wanderers, struggled to find his form from the year previous and Halifax finished sixth on the table.

The Wanderers announced in December that Fernandez, alongside another stalwart, midfielder Aidan Daniels, would not be returning to the club following the expiration of his contract. His 77 appearances are the third most in Wanderers history.

It's unknown if another move outside the CPL fell through but speaking to sources around the Wanderers, the interest around Halifax's players cooled following a mediocre 2024 which saw the club concede 43-goals, tied for most in the league.

But there's little doubt Valour is getting one of the best full-backs in the CPL. Through his time in Nova Scotia, Fernandez registered five goals and seven assists, consistently creating chances for himself and his teammates. He's also versed in playing on the right or left side, giving Valour head coach Phil Dos Santos options.

Now, Valour has some of the best full-back depth in the league with Fernandez, Themi Antonoglou and Roberto Alarcón all under contract.

Further reading:

• By the Numbers: Fernandez headlines Wanderers' returning full-backs
• Zachary Fernandez has established himself as an elite CPL player in a statement year

Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC