January 7, 2019...York 9 FC signs midfielder Joseph Di Chiara (from york9fc.canplca.ca)
January 7, 2019 York9 FC signs midfielder Joseph Di Chiara by Nate Hershenfeld, York9 FC York9 Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Joseph Di Chiara, with the York Region native returning to his hometown after playing in several eastern European leagues. York9 FC head coach Jimmy Brennan hailed the former League1 Ontario standout, who last played for Lithuanian outfit FK Jonava: “He’s got great experience and he’s a good leader on and off the field. That’s the type of individual we’re looking for in our midfield. We expect big things from Joe this year.” Di Chiara, who played for the Canadian national program at the Under-20 and Under-23 levels, has long advocated for finding ways to further Canadian develop talent locally, and sees the CPL as providing exactly that sort of opportunity. “One thing I’ve always said is that we’ve had great Canadian youth players come up, but when they get to 16, 17, they have nowhere to play,” Di Charia said. “So they stop or try to find different path elsewhere, but now with a new league the competitiveness and intensity they have from such a young age will help propel themselves forward.” Having plied his trade overseas, the 26-year-old now intends to establish himself as a leader at York9 FC. “Being a professional, one important thing is every day you come to games or training and be prepared to be consistently good at everything you do,” Di Chiara said. “It’s important to impress that idea to players that are new to the pro environment.”
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