Simmons wanders west to sign with Cavalry FC
Elliot Simmons is no longer a Wanderer. The former HFX Wanderers FC player has found his way to Cavalry FC.
On Wednesday, the 22-year-old U.K. soccer talent signed on with Calgary’s professional soccer squad.
“Elliot is a player we admired when scouting or playing against HFX Wanderers,” said Cavalry Gm/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
“He’s a great technician that wants to be on the ball and has a very good passing range. We like the fact that he’s still a young domestic player with a big upside, as he’s already gained a lot of valuable professional experience.
“Add that to the fact he knows what this league is all about, and it gives him a great head start that will help gel him into our playing system right away.”
At age five, Simmons and his family immigrated to Canada. They settled in Ottawa, where his love of the beautiful game grew.
Simmons played youth soccer in Canada’s capital, eventually landing in the Ottawa Fury development program.
Following his participation in a scouting camp led by the English Premier League in Toronto, Simmons returned to England at age 11 to join the League One side Milton Keynes Dons (MK Dons) academy.
After five years with MK Dons, he moved to the La Liga side Málaga.
Simmons signed his first professional contract in 2017 with Swedish Allsvenskan side Dalkurd FF, where he played for the Under-19 and U21 teams.
In 2018, he went on a full-year loan to Finnish Kakkonen side Mikkelin Palloilijat.
Simmons returned to Canada in 2019 after signing with the HFX Wanderers for the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League.
Simmons has also represented Canada at the national youth level and is eligible to be selected for the Olympic qualifying squad.
“I played Cavalry a number of times last season and was always impressed with how good and organized they were technically and tactically,” Simmons said.
“I have been developed in a similar philosophy at MK Dons and Dalkurd, and (Cavalry FC) felt like the perfect CPL club for me to continue my development.”