New Zealand U-23 international Jay Herdman has joined Canadian Premier League side Cavalry on loan for the rest of the season.
Herdman (20) is contracted to Major League Soccer Next Pro side Whitecaps where he has made 19 appearances in 2024, scoring six goals and providing three assists.
Herdman was a member of the national U-23 squad at this year’s Paris Olympics.
New Zealand’s Jay Herdman playing for the national U-22 squad against China at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Cavalry head coach and general manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr said the arrival of Herdman would help cover an injury to midfielder Maël Henry and would help the club meet its league requirement to generate 2,000 U-21 domestic playing minutes during the regular season.
“Jay is an important signing for us, who will provide another attacking option for the run-in,” Wheeldon said.
“He’s a player that we’ve been tracking since we played against Whitecaps in pre-season and he has very good quality, with terrific energy and the ability to contribute to goals.”
Herdman was the winner of the Golden Ball for being the MVP at New Zealand’s 2022 OFC U-19 Championship win in Tahiti.
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To play for New Zealand in that tournament, he switched his international allegiance from Canada for whom he also played at age group level.
The Invercargill-born player is the son of Canada’s national coach, John Herdman, who previously held football coaching roles in New Zealand.
This story was first published on September 23, 2024.