In an off-season full of headlines around the Canadian Premier League, there is no doubt that Atlético Ottawa have been the subject of more than any other team. The capital club once again stole the show this week as they made a pair of significant signings, further bolstering their star-studded squad ahead of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, one of the league's most lethal strikers is leaving York United, while another has made his return to the CPL with Vancouver FC. Here are the biggest stories from around the Canadian Premier League this past week:
Atlético Ottawa bring back Luke Singh on loan, add CPL star Manny Aparicio
The biggest free agent in the Canadian Premier League this off-season is headed to the nation's capital, as Atlético Ottawa confirmed the signing of 28-year-old Manny Aparicio on Friday. The former Pacific FC player, with whom he won the CPL Final in 2021, has been a nominee for the league's Player of the Year award each of the past two seasons. He had four goals and five assists for the Tridents in 2023. He has widely earned the reputation as one of the league's best midfielders having appeared in all five previous CPL campaigns -- captaining York in 2019 and 2020. Earlier that same day, Atleti confirmed that 23-year-old central defender Luke Singh is returning to the club from Toronto FC on loan. The Trinidad and Tobago international was a mainstay for the club last season, making 25 league appearances. Atleti also announced this week that defender Karl Ouimette has stepped away from playing for the season and will join the front office as a Business Development Executive. Defender Jonathan Grant, meanwhile, was placed on the inactive roster after suffering a season-ending injury in preseason.Moses Dyer returns to the CPL with Vancouver FC
Ahead of their sophomore season in the Canadian Premier League, Vancouver FC added some significant firepower with the signing of former Valour FC forward Moses Dyer. The 27-year-old Dyer led the Winnipeg side in scoring in his last two campaigns in the league, finding the back of the net nine times in both 2022 and 2021. He spent this past season with FC Tulsa in the USL Championship, where he scored four times in league action. A New Zealand international, Dyer has also played 11 times for his country. He will fill a hole left by Vancouver FC's joint-leading goalscorer last season, Shaan Hundal, who departed for Valour this off-season.Forge FC strengthen goalkeeper position with the addition of Jassem Koleilat
Ontario clubs were busy in general this week, with Forge adding another goalkeeper to their ranks, 24-year-old Czech-Canadian Jassem Koleilat. The 24-year-old appeared in seven matches for LAFC 2 in MLS Next Pro last season. Prior to that he featured for the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA, and spent time with Sparta Prague during his youth career. Koleilat originally joined Forge during their Concacaf Champions Cup run on a short-term contract. He has since been inked to a multi-year contract by the club.York United transfer Osaze De Rosario to Tacoma Defiance
The Nine Stripes will look different in attack this coming season after the transfer of striker Osaze De Rosario to MLS NEXT Pro team Tacoma Defiance, who are the affiliate of the Seattle Sounders. No player has scored more goals than De Rosario for the Nine Stripes, with 19 in 57 matches in all competitions since joining the club ahead of the 2022 season. He came within one of winning the league's Golden Boot in that debut CPL season, and led the team in scoring (tied with Mo Babouli and Kevin Dos Santos in 2023) each of the past two seasons. In fact, only Atlético Ottawa's Ollie Bassett (who took home the Golden Boot this past season) and former Forge FC striker Woobens Pacius have scored more goals over the past two CPL campaigns combined than the 22-year-old De Rosario. As a result, his departure will leave big shoes to fill up top for the Nine Stripes.Pacific FC make headlines with new alternate kits
The Tridents have once again made waves with the release of their 2024 alternate kit, designed by Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. 'The Resilience Kit' features the salmon, which symbolizes resilience and perseverance. The kit has been praised across the internet and social media since its release, including by global football brand Copa90. For each jersey sold, $20 will be donated to Indigenous-based organizations such as Hope and Health and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. The kit is available for purchase by clicking here.Continue reading...