Axel Desjardins (born January 13, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Italian Serie C club Novara.[1]

Axel Desjardins
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-01-13) January 13, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Novara
Number 31
Youth career
2010–2014 GISSPRO Montreal
2014–2019 Spezia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Spezia 1 (0)
2020–2021Novara (loan) 4 (0)
2021– Novara 36 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 3, 2024

Early career

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At 11, he started playing with the Braves d'Ahuntsic. When he was 13, his goaltending coach let him know about an academy in Italy run by Montrealer Jos Recine (Contact Sports Management) that gave opportunities to players from Australia, the United States and Canada. He went to Genoa, to participate in an exhibition match with the academies of Juventus, Genoa, Inter Milan and Spezia, and attracted the attention of the Spezia coaches, who invited him to trial with the team, after which he was offered a spot in their academy.[2]

Club career

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Desjardins is a youth academy graduate of Spezia. He made his professional debut for the club on July 31, 2020 in a Serie B match against Salernitana. He replaced Titas Krapikas in the stoppage minute of second half as his team won the match 2–1.[3][4]

On October 6, 2020, Serie C club Novara signed Desjardins on a season long loan deal.[5][6]

On November 25, 2021, he would re-join Novara on a permanent deal, after they had been relegated to Serie D.[7]

International career

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In October 2018, Canada under-20 team head coach Andrew Olivieri called up Desjardins to attend a training camp ahead of 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[8][9]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of January 21, 2024[10]
Club League Season League Cup Playoffs Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Spezia Serie B 2019–20 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Novara (loan) Serie C 2020–21 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Novara Serie D 2021–22 19 0 0 0 3 0 22 0
Serie C 2022–23 17 0 1 0 1 0 19 0
2023–24 19 0 1 0 0 0 20 0
2024–25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 59 0 2 0 4 0 65 0
Career total 60 0 2 0 4 0 66 0

References

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  1. ^ Axel Desjardins at Soccerway
  2. ^ Roger, Christine (January 27, 2021). "De Montréal à l'Italie, le surprenant parcours d'Axel Desjardins" [From Montreal to Italy, the surprising journey of Axel Desjardins]. Ici Radio-Canada Télé (in French).
  3. ^ "Salernitana vs. Spezia - 31 July 2020". Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Bonatti, Andrea (July 31, 2020). "Spezia Terzo: Sei Nella Storia!" [Third Spice:You are in History!]. Città Dalla Spezia (in Italian). Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "Il mercato del Novara si chiude con due operazioni in entrata: ecco i giovani Desjardins e Natalucci" [The Novara market closes with two incoming transactions: here are the young Desjardins and Natalucci]. La Stampa (in Italian). October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Massara, Filippo (October 5, 2020). "Mercato: Axel Desjardins in prestito al Novara" [Market:Axel Desjardins on loanto Novara]. Spezia Calcio (in Italian). Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Massara, Filippo (November 25, 2021). "Nuovo portiere per il Novara: torna il canadese Axel Desjardins" [New goalkeeper for Novara: Canadian Axel Desjardins is back]. La Stampa (in Italian).
  8. ^ "Canada announces squad for the CONCACAF Men's U-20 Championship". Ontario Soccer Association. October 30, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  9. ^ "Nazionali: Desjardins convocato per uno stage con la nazionale canadese" [Nationals: Desjardins Called up for an Internship with the Canadian National Team] (in Italian). October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  10. ^ "Axel Desjardins Profile". Retrieved January 7, 2024.
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