Valour Adds Former Nine Stripes Midfielder Jordan Faria

Valour FC has now gone four-for-four when it comes to bringing in players who have prior CPL experience.

The Winnipeg-based club just announced the signing of 23-year-old midfielder Jordan Faria, who arrives fresh off a fruitful Toronto FC II season that saw him contribute four goals and four assists through 23 appearances. He also made his MLS debut with the senior side, coming on as a substitute for Federico Bernardeschi against Austin FC.

The name will be familiar to CPL faithful: Faria joined York United as a midseason reinforcement in 2021. He featured in twelve matches, scoring a goal against FC Edmonton before heading to Finland after the Nine Stripes passed over his contract option.

The move to the Finnish second division saw him procure six goals in 22 appearances before returning to the Toronto FC II earlier this year. Speaking with Ed Tait, Valour FC head coach Phillip Dos Santos was firm in his belief that Faria ‘has another gear in him’ following the 2023 campaign that followed.

“Jordan has always been viewed as a top prospect in this country,” says Dos Santos. “He’s an attacking midfielder-slash-winger with a lot of quality on the ball. He can take players on in the one-vs-one, but also plays well in between lines. He’s a good player who brings a different look to the way we can attack, and he has experience at the professional level.”

The club told fans that its recruitment strategy would rest around securing players with prior CPL experience, with the club announcing the addition of Zachary Sukunda, Shaan Hundal, and Roberto Alarcon before today’s announcement. All of them had at least one season of CPL experience under their belt.

Faria’s first stint with Toronto FC II saw him tally up 32 appearances between 2018 and 2019, registering two goals and two assists in that time. The Brampton-born footballer had risen through the Reds academy after starting off with the Brampton Youth Soccer Club.

With his career in the midst of an upbeat note, he’s an intriguing addition to the setup at IG Field. Valour finds itself in the midst of some hefty roster overhauling, with the end of season roster update leaving just seven players on the books. Many more remain out of contract, and we’ve heard some key players have chosen to depart.

That makes sourcing potential scoops like Jordan Faria all the more important.

“For us to get a young domestic player and has the quality and the hunger to succeed is something we couldn’t overlook,” concluded the gaffer, who himself appears to be marching into a make-or-break season with Valour.

Faria’s new CPL side did not disclose the length or financial details of his contract.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques