Aidan Daniels
{{short description|Canadian professional soccer player|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aidan Daniels
| fullname = Aidan Jun Valcarcel Daniels{{Cite web|url=http://canadasoccer.com/?t=profile&pid=12954&team_tag=canM17|title=Canada Soccer|website=canadasoccer.com|access-date=2016-03-26}}
| image = Aidan Daniels 2024.jpg
|image_size = 225px
| caption = Daniels in 2023
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|6}}
| birth_place = Markham, Ontario, Canada
| height = {{convert|1.79|m|abbr=on}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Pacific FC
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Ajax FC
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Richmond Hill SC
| youthyears3 = 2012–2016
| youthclubs3 = Toronto FC
| years1 = 2016–2017
| clubs1 = Toronto FC III
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2017
| clubs2 = Toronto FC II
| caps2 = 39
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2018–2019
| clubs3 = Toronto FC
| caps3 = 1
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2018
| clubs4 = → Toronto FC II (loan)
| caps4 = 26
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2019
| clubs5 = → Ottawa Fury (loan)
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2020
| clubs6 = Colorado Springs Switchbacks
| caps6 = 16
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2021
| clubs7 = OKC Energy FC
| caps7 = 30
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2022–2024
| clubs8 = HFX Wanderers
| caps8 = 75
| goals8 = 5
| years9 = 2025–
| clubs9 = Pacific FC
| caps9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| nationalteam1 = Canada U17
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalteam2 = Canada U20
| nationalyears2 = 2017
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalteam3 = Canada U21
| nationalyears3 = 2018
| nationalcaps3 = 4
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalteam4 = Canada U23
| nationalyears4 = 2021
| nationalcaps4 = 4
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = October 19, 2024
| nationalteam-update = March 28, 2021
}}
Aidan Jun Valcarcel Daniels (born September 6, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC.
Club career
=Toronto FC=
When Daniels turned 17 on 8 July 2016, he signed a professional contract with Toronto FC II.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontofc.ca/post/2016/07/08/toronto-fc-ii-sign-aidan-daniels-0|title=Toronto FC II Sign Aidan Daniels|publisher=Toronto FC|accessdate=8 July 2016}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.torontofc.ca/players/aidan-daniels|title=Aidan Daniels|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=Toronto FC|access-date=March 26, 2015}}
During the 2017 offseason, Daniels would train with Danish club HB Køge.{{cite web|url=https://www.wakingthered.com/2017/11/8/16624786/toronto-fc-news-tfc-ii-denmark-aiden-daniels-liam-fraser-luca-uccello-malik-johnson|title=TFC II send four on training stint to Denmark|website=Waking The Red|author=James Grossi|date=November 12, 2017|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204740/https://www.wakingthered.com/2017/11/8/16624786/toronto-fc-news-tfc-ii-denmark-aiden-daniels-liam-fraser-luca-uccello-malik-johnson|url-status=dead}}
On April 13, 2018, Daniels signed as a homegrown player with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2018/04/13/toronto-fc-sign-two-homegrown-players-and-another-local-product|title=Toronto FC Sign Two Homegrown Players and Another Local Product|website=torontofc.ca|access-date=April 13, 2018}} On 21 April 2018, Daniels made his MLS debut with Toronto FC against Houston Dynamo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wakingthered.com/toronto-fc/2018/4/21/17265722/houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-live-stream-tv-channel-team-news-mls-lineups-highlights-recap-scores|title=FT: Houston Dynamo 5-1 Toronto FC — TFC youngsters suffer nightmare loss|date=April 21, 2018|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke|work=Waking the Red}}
==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.{{cite web|title=Fury FC welcomes three on loan from Toronto FC|url=https://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news_article/show/1001402|publisher=Ottawa Fury FC|access-date=March 6, 2019}}
=Colorado Springs Switchbacks=
Daniels would sign with USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the 2020 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news_article/show/1073565|title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC sign Aiden Daniels|website=Colorado Springs Switchbacks|date=December 23, 2019}} On July 11, he scored his first goal against New Mexico United.{{Cite web|url=https://gazette.com/sports/aidan-daniels-looks-to-deliver-on-daily-basis-during-time-with-colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc/article_5c170c7a-de54-11ea-9037-d33b76bcbe49.html|title=Aidan Daniels looks to deliver on daily basis during time with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC|first=Vinny|last=Benedetto|date=August 14, 2020|work=The Gazette (Colorado Springs)}} He later re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.{{Cite web|url=https://gazette.com/sports/switchbacks-bring-back-aidan-daniels-after-strong-first-season-in-colorado-springs/article_16a1ace0-2530-11eb-811c-afb2a67ca646.html|title=Switchbacks bring back Aidan Daniels after strong first season in Colorado Springs|date=November 12, 2020|first=Vinny|last=Benedetto|work=The Gazette (Colorado Springs)}}
=OKC Energy=
On January 26, 2021, Daniels joined USL Championship side OKC Energy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1142557|title=Energy FC Acquires Kurimoto, Daniels from Colorado Springs|date=26 January 2021}} In December 2021, Oklahoma City Energy would announce that they would go on hiatus for the 2022 season, ending Daniels' time with the club after one season.{{cite web|url=https://www.energyfc.com/news_article/show/1196933|title=Energy FC to suspend play in 2022 season, resume in 2023|website=Oklahoma City Energy|date=December 3, 2021|access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127141250/https://www.energyfc.com/news_article/show/1196933|url-status=dead}}
=HFX Wanderers=
In January 2022, Canadian Premier League side HFX Wanderers announced they had signed Daniels to a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/halifax-wanderers-sign-canadian-aidan-daniels|date=January 19, 2022|title=Halifax Wanderers Sign Canadian Aidan Daniels|work=HFX Wanderers}} He made his debut for the Wanderers on April 7 against York United.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/stories-of-the-match-wanderers-1-0-victory-over-york-united-fc|date=April 8, 2022|title=Stories of the match: Wanderers 1-0 victory over York United FC}} Daniels scored his first goal for his new club on May 10 in the Canadian Championship, netting the second against Guelph United in a 2–0 victory.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/stories-of-the-match-wanderers-2-0-canchamp-victory-over-guelph-united-fc|date=May 11, 2022|title=Stories of the Match: Wanderers 2-0 CanChamp victory over Guelph United FC}} In January 2022 the Wanderers announced Daniels had signed a new contract through 2023, with added options for 2024 and 2025.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/wanderers-sign-aidan-daniels-and-jake-ruby-to-new-contracts|title=Wanderers sign Aidan Daniels and Jake Ruby to new contracts|date=January 9, 2023}}
=Pacific FC=
In January 2025, he signed with Pacific FC on a two-year contract with an option for 2027.{{cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-sign-canadian-midfielder-aidan-daniels|title=Pacific FC sign Canadian midfielder Aidan Daniels|date=January 2, 2025|work=Pacific FC}}
International career
Daniels qualifies to represent Canada, South Africa or the Philippines at senior level as his father hails from Johannesburg and his mother from Manila. 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. In February 2017, Daniels was named to Canada's roster for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/canada-names-young-squad-concacaf-u-20-championship/|title=Canada names young squad for CONCACAF U-20 Championship|author=Neil Davidson|publisher=Sportsnet|date=Feb 9, 2017}} In May 2018, Daniels was named to Canada's under-21 squad for the 2018 Toulon Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/19/canada-national-team-roster-prestigious-toulon-tournament-released|title=Canada national team roster for prestigious Toulon Tournament released|author=Alicia Rodriguez|website=Major League Soccer|date=May 19, 2018}} Daniels was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 26, 2020.{{cite web |title=Canada Soccer announces Provisional List for Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying |url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-provisional-list-for-concacaf-men-s-olympic-qualifying-p162594-preview-1 |publisher=Canada Soccer |accessdate=26 February 2020 |date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=9 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309191149/https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-provisional-list-for-concacaf-men-s-olympic-qualifying-p162594-preview-1 |url-status=dead }} He was named to the final squad for Olympic qualification on March 10, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-announces-squad-for-concacaf-mens-olympic-qualifying/|title=CANADA SOCCER ANNOUNCES SQUAD FOR CONCACAF MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING|date=March 10, 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bgn.fm/fresh-air-and-a-fresh-start-for-aidan-daniels/|title=Fresh air and a fresh start for Aidan Daniels|first=Carson A.|last=Merk|date=January 31, 2020|work=Beautiful Game Network}}
Career statistics
{{updated|October 19, 2024}}{{Soccerway | aidan-daniels/441523 | Aidan Daniels }}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|League !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="2" |Toronto FC III
|PDL |2016{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/stats/team_instance/1785687?subseason=278141&tab=team_instance_player_stats&tool=1769715|title=TFC Academy 2016 Stats|work=USL League Two}} |1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| League1 Ontario
|2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/18181962|title=Aidan Daniels 2017 League1 Ontario|work=League1 Ontario}} |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4" |Toronto FC II
| rowspan="3" |USL |2016 |23 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 23 | 1 | ||
| 2017
|16 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 16 | 0 | ||
| 2018
|26 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 26 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!65 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 3 |
| Toronto FC
|MLS |2018 |1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Ottawa Fury (loan)
|rowspan="3"|USL Championship |2019 |14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| Colorado Springs Switchbacks
|2020 |16 | 3 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 16 | 3 | ||
| OKC Energy
|2021 |30 | 3 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 30 | 3 | ||
| rowspan=4|HFX Wanderers
|rowspan=3|Canadian Premier League |2022 |21 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 1 | 23 | 2 | |
| 2023
|28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 4 |
| 2024
|26 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!75 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 80 | 5 |
| colspan="3"|Career Total
!206 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 211 | 15 |
References
{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Pacific FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daniels, Aidan}}
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Toronto FC II players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Soccer players from Markham, Ontario
Category:Canada men's youth international soccer players
Category:Canadian people of South African descent
Category:Canadian sportspeople of Filipino descent
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Ottawa Fury FC players
Category:Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players
Category:OKC Energy FC players
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:HFX Wanderers FC players
Category:Toronto FC Academy players