York United double down on draft picks to sign Jason Hartill

Canadian Premier League side York United have now secured both CPL-U SPORTS Draft picks after confirming the signing of Jason Hartill on a U SPORTS contract.

The 20-year-old Cape Breton University standout once plied his trade at the TFC Academy before enjoying a championship season out East with the Capers, where head coach Deano Morley heralded Hartill as a newcomer on the rise who is highly skilled, courageous and fearless to take responsibility.

With Hartill joining just west of Ottawa, the Carleton Place-born midfielder will call York Lions Stadium his home for the 2024 CPL season. The youngster had impressed head coach Martin Nash during the pre-season trip to Mexico and has now joined Christian Zeppieri and Trivine Esprit on contracts from U SPORTS.

“Jason has been a huge part of our squad so far and you can already see his growth and development since he arrived for pre-season,” said Nash of the new signing.

“He has a strong presence in midfield and is neat, tidy and technical. But what is just as important is attitude, mentality and strength of character. Jason possesses all of these things and we look forward to seeing what he can do for us this season.”

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The move comes in the first season that Canada’s top tier U SPORTS athletes will not count toward a club’s primary 23-man roster, with teams allowed to use up to three development spots for U SPORTS athletes. Martin Nash has now taken full advantage of this.

The timing of the 20-year-old’s arrival suggests he will be in the matchday squad for York United’s match in the west against Pacific FC this evening. The Nine Stripes are four points behind tonight’s hosts, who are unbeaten in the league, although York’s last league match showed they can be a dangerous side when fit.

Header image Photo credit: Robert Marchese