By Canadian Press

Halifax Wanderers look to add offence in the form of French winger Yohan Bai

Jan 27, 2025 | 4:36 PM

French winger Yohan Bai, who has played in France’s second-tier Ligue 2 and the Bulgarian top flight, has signed with the Halifax Wanderers through the 2026 Canadian Premier League season with a club option for 2027.

The 28-year-old split the 2024 season between France’s SC Bastia and Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

“Yohan has an incredible ability to do things at a high speed and we felt adding a player who can stretch the game and create individual magic will help take us to the next level,” Wanderers coach Patrice Gheisar said in a statement. “He’s technical, can run at you and combine with other players. He is also a terrific person with a great upbringing from really good clubs in Europe, so we know he will settle in well here in Halifax.”

In other CPL news, Atletico Ottawa signed former Canadian youth international defender Noah Abatneh to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. Abatneh had been with York United.

A native of Arras, Bai is a product of Amiens SC’s youth program. He started his professional career with SAS Epinal before joining AS Furiani-Agliani, CMS Oissel and Canet Roussillon FC.

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In 2021, Bai joined Bugaria’s CSKA Sofia where he made 34 appearances with three goals and six assists. His play led to an offer to join SC Bastia in France’s League 2, where he made 17 appearances and scoring three goals. He returned to Bulgaria in 2024 with Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

“Yohan fits the profile of attacker we wanted to add this season with a combination of creativity, pace and scoring ability,” Halifax sporting director Matt Fegan said. “He has the versatility to play across the front line which suits our playing style. Having played at some prestigious clubs overseas he is also an experienced player who will help elevate the quality in the squad on and off the pitch.”

Bai is the Wanderers’ fifth international signing ahead of the 2025 season and the second from France after playmaker Lorenzo Callegari signed a new deal to stay in Halifax through the 2026 season.

“Lorenzo was the first player to reach out and welcome me to the team and told me all about the club, the city and the supporters,” Bai said. “He’s the kind of player who makes the match easier for his teammates so I’m looking forward to creating a bond with him on and off the field.”

Abatneh, 20, was nominated for the CPL’s Best Canadian U-21 Player Award in 2024 after impressing with York United FC.

“Noah is a complete package central defender, aggressive and front-footed in his defending while also excelling on the ball,” Ottawa assistant general manager J.D. Ulanowski said in a statement.

Born in Toronto, Abatneh lived in Ottawa for three years and played at youth level alongside current Ottawa defender Tyr Walker. He moved to Rome in 2016 and represented AS Roma and Lazio at youth level before returning to Canada in 2023 to join York. Abatneh made 36 CPL appearances for York with one goal.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2025

The Canadian Press