Winnipeg’s Valour FC signs Jordan international forward Jaime Siaj
By The Canadian Press on January 25, 2023.
Valour FC has signed Jordan international forward Jaime Siaj. The 27-year-old joins the Winnipeg-based Canadian Premier League team after a season with Finn Harps FC of the League of Ireland Premier Division. He scored twice in 13 appearances, logging 606 minutes. “Jaime is a physical, fast centre forward with high IQ,” Phillip Dos Santos, Valour’s head coach and GM, said in a statement. “He comes from a league that plays very aggressively and is extremely competitive. He’ll be a great asset for us and fits the mould of what we’re looking for in a player.” A third-round pick (45th overall) of the Colorado Rapids in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Siaj began his pro career with the Rapids USL’s affiliate, the Charlotte Independence. Siaj made 53 appearances in the USL with Charlotte, Oklahoma City Energy and Tampa Bay Rowdies, with 10 goals and three assists. Siaj also had stints with FC Messina and Inter de Madrid in lower leagues in Italy and Spain, respectively, as well as a stop in Lebanon with Al-Ansar FC. He has won five caps for Jordan with one goal. In other CPL moves, Pacific FC has signed 21-year-old Dutch forward Ayman Sellouf. Sellouf joins fellow Dutch players Djenairo Daniels and Bradley Vliet on Vancouver Island. “We are excited to add another young international player of this quality to our team,” said Pacific coach James Merriman. “Ayman is extremely positive about the opportunity. He has great potential and we look forward to welcoming him to Pacific.” Sellouf began his career with his hometown team, NEC Nijmegen, where he spent five years in the club’s academy before signing a pro contract in 2019. He made 24 appearances and scored three goals in the Dutch second tier before moving to FC Utrecht in 2021. Sellouf played for the club’s reserve team, Jong Utrecht, with two goals in 24 appearances. “He’s an exciting wide player who plays primarily on the left,” said Merriman. “He’s good on the ball, dynamic and direct going forward. Ayman shows good quality one-on-one and will be a great addition to our attack.” Pacific’s roster now stands at 16. HFX Wanderers FC added to its midfield by signing England’s Callum Watson for the 2023 season with a club option for 2024. The 22-year-old played for Creighton University in 2022. “Callum is an active player who has the ability to play any role in central midfield and is coming off a wonderful year at college,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “Along with Andre Rampersad, Aidan Daniels and Lorenzo Callegari, Callum adds to a midfield we are building that is technical and mobile. He’s self-motivated and sets a high bar for himself which I look forward to seeing in Halifax.” Watson began his career in England at AFC Sudbury’s academy. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2023 21-20
