Keeper Christian Oxner signs with the HFX Wanderers FC

Halifax, N.S. (February 20, 2019) - 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.

Media Inquiries:

Gareth Hampshire (902) 225 5345

gareth.hampshire@hfxwanderersfootball.club

About  HFX Wanderers FC and the Canadian Premier League

HFX Wanderers FC is one of the founding members of the seven team Canadian Premier League (CPL). The club will play its home games at the Wanderers Grounds in the inaugural season.

Set to debut on April 27, 2019, playing in unique venues and partnering with strong community-led ownership groups, CPL is a league for Canadians by Canadians that will bring professional soccer to communities coast-to-coast. 

For more Wanderers information visit hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca

Connect with us on twitter @HfxWanderersFC

For updates on the CPL visit CanPL.ca and on twitter @CPLsoccer and #CanPL