Cavalry FC announced the signing of Canadian midfielder Joel Waterman Wednesday, as the Calgary club continues to prepare for the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League (CPL), Canada’s new professional soccer league.

Waterman, 23, is another Calgary Foothills FC alumnus, having won the 2018 Premier Development League (now the USL League Two) championship with current Cavalry FC head coach and general manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

“He’s a great competitor and a versatile player that is equally comfortable playing centrally in midfield or at the back” – Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Cavalry FC head coach

Waterman was Cavalry FC’s second round pick in the 2018 CPL-U Sports Draft, a new draft system that has tapped into the soccer player pool of Canadian universities.

The Canadian midfielder joins 12 other players who have signed for Cavalry FC to date, including Canadian international Nik Ledgerwood, English forward Jordan Brown and Brazilian forward Oliver Minatel.

The British Columbia native has spent the last five years attending Trinity Western University. He has played for the school’s soccer team, the Trinity Western University Spartans. During summer months, he has spent time with Premier Development League teams Kitsap Pumas, TSS Rovers and Calgary Foothills FC.

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“I think that now the CPL is in place it gives players like me the opportunity to develop through the system, get a university degree and still play professional football in my own country,” said Waterman in a club statement. “The relationship is unique and now it’s my job to take full advantage of the opportunity.”

Midfielder brings versatility and depth

Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. is looking forward to working with Waterman again and cites his newest midfielder’s versatility as a key characteristic. While listed as a midfielder, Waterman is also able to drop deeper in the formation to perform defensive duties when required.

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“Joel is our first U SPORTS draft player that we’ve signed to a professional contract,” said Tommy Wheeldon Jr, via a club statement. “He’s making some good history here. He’s a great competitor and a versatile player that is equally comfortable playing centrally in midfield or at the back, which gives us good depth and quality in the squad. Joel is the type of player and character that can come here, develop his game and help us grow a competitive culture.”

– files from Cavalry FC

The Canadian Premier League is a new professional soccer league set to kick off in April 2019. Calgary’s club is Cavalry FC and will play its home games at Spruce Meadows.