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HFX Wanderers FC continue to construct its roster and solidify its back line with the addition of Canadian defensive leader Chakib Hocine.

The Canadian Premier League franchise announced the signing of the 27-year-old centre-back on Wednesday.

The six-foot-five Hocine played with Ekenas IF in Finland’s second tier professional league.

“I’m so happy because I want to come back and play in my country and I feel like this is the team I want to play for,” Hocine said in a news release. “I want to play for (head coach) Stephen Hart and I want to play for Halifax.”

Born in Algeria, Hocine emigrated to Canada with his family as a youngster, settling in Montreal. He played with the Impact at the academy level and then in the United Soccer League with FC Montreal. He moved to Finland last year.

Hart expects Hocine to play a commanding role for his team as an imposing defender who can bring the ball out from the back.

“I am looking for him to bring a certain level headed leadership,” Hart said in the release. “We scouted him extensively. He is good in the air and comfortable on the ground.

“Chakib’s distribution is quite good, so I think this was essential for us to not only have those qualities but experience and leadership at the back.”

Hocine is the sixth confirmed signing by the Wanderers following last week’s unveiling of Jan-Michael Williams, Elton John, Akeem Garcia and Andre Rampersad from Trinidad and Tobago and Zachary Sukunda.

HFX Wanderers kick off its inaugural season in April.