February 5, 2025...York United sign goalkeeper Ivan Pavela through 2026 (from canpl.ca)
York United sign goalkeeper Ivan Pavela through 2026
2025-02-05
York United FC announced Wednesday the signing of goalkeeper Ivan Pavela to a contract guaranteed through 2026, plus a club
option for 2027.
This marks a second stint with the Nine Stripes for the promising young goalkeeper from Georgetown, Ont., and his first professional
contract with the club. York previously signed Pavela to a development contract in April 2023, which allowed him to appear
for the club while maintaining his amateur status and ability to train with the amateur team that holds his registration.
Pavela, 19, has gained valuable experience since beginning his last spell with York United nearly two years ago. At the club level,
the Canadian-Croatian dual citizen spent time with NK Lokomotiva and HNK Hadjuk Split U-19 sides in 2023 and 2024, respectively,
before making a move to NK Dugopolje.
He also earned a call into camp with Canada’s U-20 men’s national team in June 2024, though he was unable to join the squad
at that year’s U-20 Concacaf Championship due to club commitments.
“My biggest goal this year is to absorb as much as I can,” said Pavela. “I know I have a lot to learn. Being as coachable as I can,
being the best teammate I can be and treating every training session like a game are my top priorities. I want to showcase
who I am as a person and as a goalkeeper and continue to grow on and off the field.”
Prior to his time at York in 2021, Pavela previously represented League1 Ontario side ProStars.
In signing Pavela, York has now signed 20 players to its 2025 roster ahead of the upcoming Canadian Premier League (CPL) season.
Pavela joins recent additions Alexander Bergman and Marsel Bibishkov and attacker Shola Jimoh as York’s U-21 signings. All four
signings can contribute to the league-mandate 2,000 minutes played by Under-21 domestic players this coming Canadian Premier League
(CPL) regular season.
“Ivan is a highly touted goalkeeper with lots of potential and we are happy to have him in our growing squad,” said Ricardo Pasquel,
President, York United FC. “One of our top focuses continues to be developing local talent and we are confident Ivan will benefit
from being in our environment in the coming seasons.”
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