TORONTO — Growing up, Jim Brennan began his soccer career on teams in his native Newmarket and Woodbridge in suburban Toronto.

Brennan had to leave home at 17 to pursue his soccer dream. His original destination was Glasgow Celtic but the manager got fired on the eve of his arrival, ending the Scottish powerhouse's interest.

Brennan found himself headed to Bristol City instead, kicking off a distinguished pro career that also took the gritty fullback-midfielder to Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City, Southampton and finally Toronto FC.

Now 41, Brennan is looking to help young Canadians achieve their goal at home.

Brennan is head coach and executive vice-president of soccer operations of York 9, the Toronto-area entry in the new Canadian Premier League.

"Never in a million years would I have thought we would have a professional league in this country," Brennan said in an interview. "I mean we did try before but this time I think it's here to stay.

"With TFC, Montreal and Vancouver, I think they've paved the way so to speak for us to make sure it's sustainable."

Brennan, part of the York 9 ownership group, was named head coach on Friday in addition to his previously announce front office duties.

"Jimmy is one of our founders, a visionary and the obvious choice to be our head coach," Preben Ganzhorn, president of York Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement.

"His experience in soccer from his playing days and beyond makes him a huge asset for our club, and his character as a leader is equally invaluable. Jimmy's vision and strategic approach will guide our club with the same commitment, passion and resilience he has demonstrated throughout his playing and coaching career."

The local ownership group includes Ganzhorn and Carlo Baldassarra, chairman and CEO of Greenpark Group.

York's 9 moniker comes from the nine municipalities in the York Region north of Toronto: Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.

"We're looking forward to April 2019. That's when York 9 will kick off," Brennan told a news conference earlier Friday. "We're not going to be in this league just to participate. We want to put on a good show. We want to win. We want to be successful on the field and off the field."

Brennan said the club wants to focus on players from the region and has already started scouting talent. The goal is to stock the roster with locals.

"First and foremost it will be for York Region guys," he said. "And eventually we want to get to the point where we have 11 starting players from York Region ... We're really making this a York Region club."

The league has yet to announce its roster rules but Brennan said the majority of players will be homegrown.

"I'll tell you there's going to be an awful lot of Canadians and there's going to be a lot of opportunity for young Canadians in this league ... I mean this whole league is for Canadians by Canadians."

Brennan, who was Toronto FC's first player signing in September 2006, retired in April 2010 after appearing in 84 games. He went on to serve as assistant general manager, academy coach and first-team assistant coach before leaving when Toronto cleaned house in August 2014, firing manager Ryan Nelsen and all but one of his staff.

Brennan said he has learned something from every manager he had played under but cited Nottingham Forest's Paul Hart as a major influence.

"Technically and tactically he was sound. He played the game in the right way. He was a guy that loved possession but with a purpose ... He was always thinking ahead."

Brennan won 49 caps and scored six goals for Canada, starting every game in the historic 2000 Gold Cup triumph.

He is in Canada's Soccer Hall of Fame both as an individual and member of the Gold Cup team.

York 9 joins teams in Calgary (Cavalry FC), Edmonton (FC Edmonton), Halifax (HFX Wanderers), Hamilton (Forge FC), Winnipeg (Valour FC) and Victoria (Pacific FC) in the CPL which is set to kick off next spring.

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