Toronto, ON (October 21, 2020) – York9 FC is proud to announce the signing of Canadian defender Ryan Lindsay.

The 18-year-old, a native of Ottawa, has agreed to a deal through 2022, plus a one-year option.

Lindsay, a product of the Toronto FC Academy, can play centrally or as a defensive midfielder and joined high-profile Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb earlier this year, slotting into their Under-19 setup. In August, he signed his first professional contract and joined Slovakian top-tier side FK Pohronie but due to complications relating to the current COVID-19 situation, Lindsay’s circumstances changed and York9 FC Managing Consultant Angus McNab was quick to pounce.

“Ryan is a player who’s had a fairly strange start to his professional career,” McNab says.

“COVID-19 created havoc with his plans and he’s another example of a player I’m not sure we’d get if the situation wasn’t so inexplicable. His game footage from his time in Europe was impressive and we were able to see some really positive traits: how he plays the ball from the back with such confidence, adjusts then opens his body with his first touch and wants to always progress the ball forward.”

“He’s played with a few of our younger guys at the TFC Academy so I had a few words with Ijah Halley on Ryan’s character before we made the offer. Everything pointed to the fact he was dedicated to his craft, wanted to be coached and improve – exactly the kind of exciting young pro we want at this club.”

Lindsay’s motivations were numerous but he was especially buoyed by the conversations he had with club executives about what the future holds.

“I’m very excited to have signed with York9, as I feel it’s a great fit for me,” he says.

“After speaking with them and hearing about their plans and ambitions, it was easy for me to see that this was the right move. It’s an exciting young team that plays an attractive brand of football that suits me. I also think that the CPL is a great platform for a young player with my profile which is important to me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the staff and players, and I just can’t wait to get to work.”

Player bio:

Full Name: Ryan Lindsay

Pronunciation: Lind-see

Age: 18

Position: Defender

Birth Date: December 4, 2001

Height: 6’2

Hometown: Ottawa, ON

Nationality: Canadian

Last Club: FK Pohronie