Halifax Wanderers FC and York United FC have agreed to a player loan exchange for the remainder of the 2024 Canadian Premier League season, announced on Tuesday. Clément Bayiha will join the Wanderers, while Tomas Giraldo will move to York United on loan.
York United holds the option to make Giraldo’s move permanent at any point during the loan. Giraldo’s contract with the Wanderers includes a club option for the 2025 season. Giraldo, a 21-year-old midfielder from Medellín, Colombia, raised in Montréal, joined the Wanderers in 2023. He has made 20 appearances for the team, scoring two goals last season, including a stoppage-time winner against Atlético Ottawa. Giraldo has also represented Canada at the U-17 level in the Concacaf U-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup. He is classified as a domestic U-21 player, contributing to York’s U-21 minutes requirement.
York United’s General Manager and President, Ricardo Pasquel, expressed excitement about the acquisition, praising Giraldo’s potential and flexibility in the midfield. He also noted that Bayiha’s move to the Wanderers would provide him with more consistent playing time, which the club will closely monitor.
Clément Bayiha, a 25-year-old winger, joined York United in 2023 and has made five appearances this year with one assist. Over his career, he has played 30 times for the Nine Stripes, 25 times in Major League Soccer for CF Montréal, and has experience in the USL Championship and Norway’s top flight. Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Bayiha moved to France and later settled in the greater Montréal area. He has represented Canada at the U-20 and U-21 levels.
Patrice Gheisar, head coach of the Wanderers, highlighted Bayiha’s speed and ability to enhance their offensive play. He mentioned Bayiha’s familiarity with the team and his previous connections with current players.
The Wanderers will play their next match on Sunday, June 2, against Atlético Ottawa in Ottawa. York United will face Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field the day before.
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