Aidan Daniels

Aidan Jun Valcarcel Daniels (born September 6, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for OKC Energy in the USL Championship.

Aidan Daniels
Daniels playing for Toronto FC II in 2016
Personal information
Full name Aidan Jun Valcarcel Daniels[1]
Date of birth (1998-09-06) September 6, 1998
Place of birth Markham, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 OKC Energy
Youth career
Ajax FC
Richmond Hill SC
2012–2016 Toronto FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Toronto FC III 5 (0)
2016–2019 Toronto FC II 65 (3)
2018–2019 Toronto FC 1 (0)
2019 → Ottawa Fury (loan) 14 (1)
2020 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 16 (3)
2021– OKC Energy 0 (0)
National team‡
2015 Canada U17 4 (0)
2017 Canada U20 3 (0)
2018– Canada U23 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 5, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of June 7, 2018

Club career

Toronto FC

On April 13, 2018, Daniels signed as a homegrown player with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.[2] On 21 April 2018, Daniels made his MLS debut with Toronto FC against Houston Dynamo.[3]

Toronto FC II

When Daniels turned 17 on 8 July 2016, he signed a professional contract with Toronto FC II.[4] A product of the Toronto FC Academy, he was rewarded with a loan to affiliate club Toronto FC II ahead of the 2016 USL season. Having already been capped internationally while playing for the academy, Daniels made his professional debut in the season opener on March 26, 2016. He played for 78 minutes in a 2–2 draw with New York Red Bulls II, before being replaced by Malik Johnson.[5] During the 2017 offseason, Daniels would train with Danish club HB Køge.[6] Upon completion of the 2017 season, Daniels would re-sign with the club for the 2018 season.[7] Daniels would be named the #20 rated prospect under 20 by the league in 2018.[8] Daniels would have his option for the 2020 season declined by Toronto, ending his time with the club after two seasons.[9]

Loan to Ottawa Fury FC

On March 6, 2019, it was announced that Daniels would be loaned to USL Championship club Ottawa Fury FC for the 2019 season.[10]

Colorado Springs Switchbacks

Daniels would sign with USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the 2020 season.[11] On July 11, he scored his first goal against New Mexico United.[12] He later re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.[13]

OKC Energy

On January 26, 2021, Daniels joined USL Championship side OKC Energy.[14]

International

Youth

Daniels also qualifies to represent South Africa or the Philippines at senior level as his father hails from Johannesburg and his mother from Manila.[1] After call-ups to the Canada Under-15 camps in USA and Laval in 2013, Daniels finally made his international debut in 2015. He made two appearances at the Under-17 CONCACAF Championship, the first coming in a 3–1 victory over Saint Lucia on March 9, 2015. His next appearance came just three days later in a 1–0 defeat to Panama.[1] In February 2017, Daniels was named to Canada's roster for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship[15] In May 2018, Daniels was named to Canada's under-21 squad for the 2018 Toulon Tournament.[16] Daniels was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 26, 2020.[17]

Personal

Daniels' father was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and his mother was born in Manila, Philippines. His grandfather was a professional soccer player in South Africa and also played for Portuguese club Sporting CP. His uncles also played professionally, while an Achilles injury prevented his father from signing a professional contract.[18]

Career statistics
As of October 3, 2020[19]
Club League Season League Playoffs Canadian Championship Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Toronto FC III PDL 2016[20] 10——10
League1 Ontario 2017[21] 4000—40
Toronto FC II USL 2016 23100—231
2017 16000—160
2018 26200—262
Total 6530000653
Toronto FC MLS 2018 10000010
Ottawa Fury (loan) USL Championship 2019 1410000141
Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2020 1630000163
Career Total 101700001017

References
  1. "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  2. "Toronto FC Sign Two Homegrown Players and Another Local Prodcut". torontofc.ca. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  3. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (April 21, 2018). "FT: Houston Dynamo 5-1 Toronto FC — TFC youngsters suffer nightmare loss". Waking the Red.
  4. "Toronto FC II Sign Aidan Daniels". Toronto FC. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. "Aidan Daniels". Toronto FC. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  6. James Grossi (November 12, 2017). "TFC II send four on training stint to Denmark". Waking The Red.
  7. "Toronto FC II announce roster moves". Toronto FC. December 4, 2017.
  8. "2018 USL 20 under 20". USL. October 12, 2018. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  9. "Toronto FC announces roster decisions to conclude 2019 season". Toronto FC. November 21, 2019.
  10. "Fury FC welcomes three on loan from Toronto FC". Ottawa Fury FC. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  11. "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC sign Aiden Daniels". Colorado Springs Switchbacks. December 23, 2019.
  12. Benedetto, Vinny (August 14, 2020). "Aidan Daniels looks to deliver on daily basis during time with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC". The Gazette (Colorado Springs).
  13. Benedetto, Vinny (November 12, 2020). "Switchbacks bring back Aidan Daniels after strong first season in Colorado Springs". The Gazette (Colorado Springs).
  14. https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1142557
  15. Neil Davidson (Feb 9, 2017). "Canada names young squad for CONCACAF U-20 Championship". Sportsnet.
  16. Alicia Rodriguez (May 19, 2018). "Canada national team roster for prestigious Toulon Tournament released". Major League Soccer.
  17. "Canada Soccer announces Provisional List for Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying". Canada Soccer. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  18. Merk, Carson A. (January 31, 2020). "Fresh air and a fresh start for Aidan Daniels". Beautiful Game Network.
  19. Aidan Daniels at Soccerway
  20. "TFC Academy 2016 Stats". USL League Two.
  21. "Aidan Daniels 2017 League1 Ontario". League1 Ontario.
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