One of the biggest CPL free agents of this off-season has landed in the nation’s capital. Atlético Ottawa revealed on Wednesday that it has come to terms with former Pacific FC winger Ben Fisk, making the Canadian international the first player to be signed by the expansion club. A 27-year-old native of Vancouver, Fisk announced last month that he was leaving Pacific, after scoring six goals and tallying five assists in 24 league appearances (19 as a starter; 1,662 minutes), and often wearing the captain’s armband for the Tridents during the 2019 season. Fisk was out of contract and had been negotiating with Pacific, but in the end, he decided to continue his CPL career with Atlético Ottawa. "Obviously, until quite recently the plan was to stay (at Pacific). As soon as Ottawa got announced they were in touch. It put a twist in things because it was such a good opportunity and definitely something I would be interested in. Beyond the offer, it was the idea of being part of something new and having more doors opened for my career," Fisk told CanPL.ca. Still, the decision to part ways with Pacific was a difficult one for Fisk. "I made no secret of how much I loved my year here, I love what Pacific is doing here. With the other option on the table, it turned into a decision about my next five years. I love it here so much and I thought the longer I stayed here the harder it would be to leave. I saw Ottawa as a chance to open some doors and, at my age, I still have a lot to give to the game and get to another level. Ottawa opens more doors to that," Fisk explained. RELATED READING: CPL pre-season roster tracker: How each team is shaping up Prior to joining Pacific last year, Fisk spent time with Irish outfit Derry City FC, helping them win the League of Ireland Cup in 2018 and compete in the UEFA Europa League. Fisk also played for FC Edmonton in the NASL, Deportivo La Coruña's reserve team and Coruxo FC in Spain, the Charleston Battery, and the Vancouver Whitecaps under-23 team. Club Atlético de Madrid’s Fernando López, who will oversee operations for the CPL club, explained that Fisk being Canadian, as well as his experience playing in Spain, made him the ideal candidate to be Atlético Ottawa's first signing. "I really like him as person, apart from the technical side and what he does on the pitch. He was one of the key players for Pacific last year. We really liked his technical ability on the attacking side. We believe we need to be very strong at his position, with someone with good technique. Ben is very fast and a smart player, and we need that kind of player close to the goal," López told CanPL.ca. RELATED READING: Atlético Ottawa to hold pre-season training camp in Madrid After playing for Canada’s under-20 and under-23 sides, Fisk graduated to the senior team and earned a pair of caps in international friendlies against Bermuda and Scotland in 2017. Michael Findlay, who currently serves as Director of Football Development at the CPL, was the interim coach of Canada’s national team from 2016-17, and handed Fisk his two international caps. "Ben brings experience at the Canadian Premier League, from the international club level in Spain and Ireland, and with Canada's men's national teams program – all of which have been key in his football education and how his abilities may best affect the game," Findlay told CanPL.ca. "His ability to run and dribble at defending units with pace is an element all teams value and fear at the same time, and it certainly will provide an attractive flavour of play to the fans of Atlético Ottawa." Atlético Ottawa opens the 2020 CPL season with four consecutive road games, starting with a visit to Hamilton on April 18 for a showdown with Forge FC, before hosting HFX Wanderers FC in its home opener at TD Place Stadium on May 15.

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