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Sam Gardner (soccer)
Samuel Julian Gardner (born 4 April 1997) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for Alliance United. University careerIn 2015, Gardner began studying at Jacksonville University, an NCAA Division I school in the ASUN Conference, where he went on to make a total of 41 appearances, scoring three goals in three seasons for the Dolphins.[1] In 2018, he transferred to Grand Canyon University for his senior year. He made 21 appearances for the Antelopes, leading them to 9 clean sheets while also scoring 1 goal and notching 2 assists.[2] Gardner was subsequently named to both the 2018 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) All-Conference team and the 2018 WAC Men's All-Tournament Team after playing a key role in GCU's first-ever WAC Men's Soccer Tournament championship, which was also the school's inaugural appearance at the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament.[3] Gardner graduated with a Business Administration degree in 2019. Club careerIn 2015, Gardner played for Master's Futbol Academy in League1 Ontario, scoring seven goals.[1] In 2017, Gardner made one appearance for USL PDL side K–W United.[4] After college, Gardner had the opportunity to sign with a California-based team in the USL, but he decided to come home in 2019 and returned to the semi-professional League1 Ontario, joining Sigma FC.[5] He made eight league appearances that season, scoring one goal and made one additional appearance in the playoffs.[6] In early 2020, Gardner trialled with USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.[7] On 3 August 2020, Gardner signed his first professional contract with Canadian Premier League side FC Edmonton.[8] He made his professional debut for FC Edmonton as a 20th minute substitute against Atletico Ottawa in a 2–2 draw on August 23. In January 2022, Gardner started training with GladAfrica Championship side Cape Town Spurs FC.[9] After impressing during his trial, Gardner signed a contract with the South African side in February 2022 until the end of the 2021–2022 season.[10] In 2022, he began playing for Alliance United of League1 Ontario.[11][12] Personal lifeGardner's family is of African descent. His mother, Gill, was born in Zambia and his father, James, was born in South Africa. He also has an older sister, Georgia.[13] In September 2021, Gardner told Yahoo!: "I’m proud to be a Canadian but I’m also very proud to be South African. All my family is still there. I spent many years of my childhood travelling back and forth between South Africa and Canada and would love an opportunity to give back to a community that practically raised me and gave so much to me."[14] References
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