Isaiah Johnston Returns to CPL, Signs for HFX Wanderers
Written By: Ethan McDonald
Isaiah Johnston has signed with Canadian Premier League side Halifax Wanderers, which marks a return to the CPL and to Canada, where the midfielder previously dominated.
Halifax is coming off a season where they finished in 6th place, narrowly missing out on the CPL Playoffs. With ambitions of asserting themselves as one of the top teams in the league, Halifax have found another player to support them in that pursuit.
Before his professional career, Johnston played his freshman year at Cape Breton University in U-Sports, helping his side win the bronze medal in the national championships in 2019. Johnston would claim the AUS (Atlantic University Sport) Rookie of the Year award and make the All-Rookie team.
In that same year, Isaiah was selected 10th overall in the 2019 CPL U-Sports draft to York United FC. During his three years with York United FC, Isaiah was labeled as one of the best players in the league during his time there. He would make 53 appearances for the Nine Stripes. Johnston would get 4 goals and 5 assists in that period.
Johnston had his best season in 2021 when he was rated the 27th-best player in the Canadian Premier League. He had 3 assists in 19 games in ‘21 while getting a new contract for the CPL side. But before he could start that new contract, he made a move to MLS Next Pro, becoming the first signing in Huntsville City FC history, the MLSNP side of Nashville SC.
Johnston was a key player for Huntsville and appeared 33 times for the MLSNP side. He also trained numerous times with Nashville SC, although he never appeared for the MLS side.
After playing for Huntsville City for a season and a half, he made a state-side move and joined USL Championship side Loudoun United FC, for whom he most recently played. This past season, in the 14 games played for Loudoun United, he made 7 starts and scored a single goal in a 4-2 win against Birmingham Legion.
After spending the last 2 seasons in the United States, Isaiah Johnston will be looking to continue his dominant play in Canada, from his time in U-Sports to his time with York United. With the numerous years of previous CPL experience Johnston has, his leadership will be looked upon at Halifax, as the side from Nova Scotia will look to go back to the Canadian Premier League playoffs and fight for a spot in the CPL Finals.