York 9 FC adds three more homegrown players to CPL roster

Jim-Brennan

Jim Brennan will coach and serve as the executive vice-president of York 9, the Toronto-area entry in the new Canadian Premier League. (Chris Young/CP)

TORONTO — York 9 FC signed three more Canadians on Friday in forward Michael Cox, goalkeeper Matt Silva and midfielder Munir Saleh.

The Calgary-born Cox played most recently for Saint Louis FC in the USL. The 25-year-old also played for York University, Nashville SC, Orlando City B, FC Edmonton and Finland’s SC Kuopio Futis-98 and Kuopion Palloseura.

"Michael is an experienced striker we’re excited to get," manager Jimmy Brennan said in a statement. "He’s a big man who loves to stretch the field and get behind defenders. He’s built to score goals in this league."

Silva, from Mississauga, Ont., last played with Sweden’s Osterlen FF. The 27-year-old is the first goalkeeper signed by the Canadian Premier League team.

Saleh, a 21-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., is a former Canadian youth international who has spent time with the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program as well as the University of Connecticut, where he made 56 appearances over three years.

The three signings bring the north Toronto team roster to 13.

York 9 FC is slated to kick off the CPL inaugural season April 27 in Hamilton against Forge FC.

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