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Lobster rolls, Spanish humidity and a CPL return: Sean Rea discusses his 'mission' and journey to the Halifax Wanderers

Lobster rolls, Spanish humidity and a CPL return: Sean Rea discusses his 'mission' and journey to the Halifax Wanderers

Castellón de la Plana, located in the eastern region of Spain, rests beside the warm waters of the Iberian Sea. It is a city know for its storied history, hot, humid summers and perhaps most notably, hatred of nearby neighbours, Villarreal.

As its name suggests, Villarreal is home to La Liga's Villarreal CF while Castellón de la Plana — the proud seat of the province — champions CD Castellón, a club which had fallen from grace in recent years. However, this season marks the beginning of something new: Castellón's return to Spain's second division for the first time in three years.

Until recently, 22-year old Canadian Sean Rea hoped to be part of this new beginning for Castellón but football, he said, is unpredictable. With things not working out in Spain after appearances with CD Castellón B, Rea recently signed a contract through 2025 with the Halifax Wanderers.

"There's been a lot of ups and downs the past few months, things that didn't go my way. Speaking with (Patrice Gheisar), and the management, Halifax was a project that made a lot of sense for me," Rea told The Wanderers Notebook in an exclusive interview. "It aligned with what I want for my career and I'm excited to be joining them."

Let go by MLS side CF Montréal in December, 2023, Rea was faced with interest from clubs across North America but chose to go to Spain for a taste of European football. Heading back across the Atlantic Ocean months later, he was again met by intense interest, receiving at least three offers from CPL clubs.

Rea said the last few days have been a whirlwind, ultimately opting to settle in Halifax.

"My decision was made in the last two days, it was really quick but from what I've heard, the city is great, the fans are great and even though they've had a slow start to the season, it doesn't mean you can't pick it up halfway through and still get into the playoffs. That's what my goal is: to come in, make a difference, contribute and try to get this team into the playoffs," he said.

Although things didn't work out in Spain, Rea said he still values the experience of going overseas.

"It was great," he said. "European football is different than North American football. It was a great experience but, as I said before, so many things are changing and sometimes you don't agree on certain things, and things don't go as planned and that's okay. I decided to come back to North America and am looking for a new challenge."

Rea and the Wanderers certainly have their work cut out for them as they sit last on the CPL table with 13 points. They are seven points behind Vancouver FC and the last playoff spot but have two matches in hand. Rea said he feels fit and could be available as soon as Monday's tilt against Vancouver FC at the Wanderers Grounds.

Speaking about his new club, Rea noted he hopes the acclimation to Canada's East Coast will be quick as he joins familiar faces in Wesley Timoteo, Zachary Fernandez and Clément Bayiha, all of whom played football together growing up. They also all train together back in Montréal during the offseason.

Rea is no stranger to the CPL, having previously been named the league's U21 Player of the Year in 2022 with Valour FC. A creative midfielder, his nine assists in 2022 also stand as a CPL record for assists in a single season.

When asked about balancing the mental side of the game, especially in the face of so much change in recent months, Rea said he is only concerned about moving forward.

"I'm just focused on my next mission. I don't really dwell on the past, or what's happened in the past. Our job is to play football and in football there are a lot of things that change," he said.

And when asked about what he was most looking forward to about living in Halifax, having the beaches of Castellón swapped for Nova Scotia's, the Montréaler was quick to point out the culinary scene.

"I've heard a lot about the restaurants and the seafood so I'm excited to taste some of that," he said. "I've had lobster rolls before — nothing great — but I've heard the ones on the East Coast are something else so I'm looking forward to trying that."

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Cover Photo Credit: Halifax Wanderers FC

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