Antoine Coupland checks lots of boxes for Atlético Ottawa – just like their inaugural signing Ben Fisk. Coupland, a 16-year-old native of Chelsea, Que., was unveiled as Ottawa’s first local and Francophone player on Thursday. Oh, and he’s also the youngest player currently signed to a Canadian Premier League contract. See? A lot of boxes were checked. "It’s a great honour to be the youngest player and a good opportunity," Coupland told CanPL.ca. "I’m glad to be an inspiration to the young kids in the region. "I mean, look at the recent success of (Canadian men's national team striker) Jonathan David with Gent. He’s from Ottawa, too." RELATED READING: Atlético Ottawa adds 16-year-old local phenom Antoine Coupland Coupland is simply continuing his inspirational story – a story that started with the Ottawa Fury in 2019 with his first professional season – by signing his second professional contract during his March break with Atlético Ottawa. At 15, Coupland debuted as the youngest player in Fury history. He went on to make three appearances as an undersized-yet-shifty midfielder with an eye for goal. "Everything in my game has improved, in terms of creativity upfront, being faster, playing against bigger players," Coupland said. He credits former Fury teammates Jamar Dixon, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, and Callum Irving (all three are now with Pacific FC) for helping him with his transition to the pro game. "I improved a lot through the training, the ups and downs and to be more intelligent. I’m not as physical as the other players, so you have to be smarter. I want to build on that," Coupland stated. A professional contract in 2020 would have been unlikely for Coupland hadn’t it been for the Club de Atlético de Madrid-backed expansion team setting up shop last month. Still in Grade 11, Coupland can stay rooted with his family north of Gatineau and "build on" this professional dream. Speaking of which, Coupland’s first professional pre-season is coming up in Madrid, of all places. He’ll be joined by Fisk and many other unannounced Year 1 players at Atlético Madrid’s home base, as coach Mista leads his group through training at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. "I’m excited to grow under Mista. It will start from this pre-season," Coupland said. "As a team we need to get that mix of Canadian and international and find that chemistry from the start. It will be amazing to go there and train at some of those world-class facilities. I never thought this could happen." Coupland and his Atlético teammates will partake in pre-season in Madrid until April 7 before heading home to Ottawa to prepare for April 18th – their inaugural game against 2019 Champions Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field.

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