The Halifax Wanderers have signed Canadian defender Francesco Troisi to a contract through the 2027 Canadian Premier League season with a club option for 2028.
Troisi, 18, joins the Wanderers from Simon Fraser University (NCAA), where he made 18 appearances as a freshman this past fall. He also spent part of the 2025 season with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
"Francesco is a young player with great potential who possesses a quality first touch and is excellent in 1-v-1 situations," Wanderers head coach and general manager Vanni Sartini said. "He's very strong on either the right or the left side of the pitch, and we expect him to come in and work hard as a first-year professional to continue his development."
A right-sided full back that can also play on the wing, Troisi spent several years at the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, joining the club in 2020 when current Wanderers head coach Vanni Sartini was the Academy’s director of methodology.
A strong crosser and defender in wide spaces, Troisi made his debut for Whitecaps 2 as a 17-year-old, contributing a crucial assist that set up the tying goal as Vancouver erased a 3-0 deficit and went on to win the match. In the fall of 2025, he joined Simon Fraser University, starting 15 of 18 matches he played in and scoring once.
“I am very excited to be signing with the Wanderers, being a part of the community and playing in front of the Halifax supporters,” Troisi said. “The fans can expect a hard-working, versatile player, and I’m looking forward to working with Vanni and the coaching staff and being a part of the Canadian Premier League.”
With his signing, Troisi is the Wanderers' third U-21 Canadian player under contract so far in 2026, joining new signing Lucas Olguin and returning striker Tavio Ciccarelli.