Toronto (Canada) (EFE).- Atlético Ottawa, of the Canadian Premier League (CPL), officially announced this Wednesday the hiring of Alberto Zapater, a legendary Spanish soccer player who said goodbye to the team of his life last May , Real Zaragoza.
The Canadian professional league club, which is owned by Atlético de Madrid, said that Zapater arrives to play the remainder of this season with the option of extending the contract to 2024.
Shortly after the announcement of the hiring of Zapater, who in addition to playing for Real Zaragoza has played for teams such as Genoa in Serie A in Italy, Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga in Portugal and Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Premiere League , the former Zaragoza captain dressed in the Atlético Ottawa striped shirt.
The CEO of Atlético Ottawa, Fernando López, told Agencia EFE that Zapater’s presence in CPL and in the team from the Canadian capital will be transcendental.
“It is a symbol, an icon of what the Spain Brand is and of what Spanish football is that we are trying to import to Canada. Alberto is a legend and his resume speaks for itself, ”López declared.
“Bringing a player of his caliber to a league like the Canadian Premiere League, which is only five years old, is something many have hoped for and few imagined. We have managed to convince both him and his family to come here and it will be an incredible experience for everyone”, added the manager of Atlético Ottawa.
Fans and commentators describe the signing as historic
Zapater’s move to Atlético Ottawa has been called by Canadian soccer fans and commentators the most important in CPL history.
“We have brought him because of the great person he is, because he has believed in the project and because we really believe that he has football left in his legs. The combination of his experience, his leadership and his football quality can help the team win again, which is what we need, ”López explained.
Pending his full integration into the Canadian team, Zapater is expected to make his debut with Atlético Ottawa on July 8. The CPL transfer window opens on July 5.
López indicated that the team wanted to give Zapater two weeks to adapt to the country and the characteristics of CPL, whose games are often played on artificial grass.
Atlético Ottawa’s coach, Carlos González, said that the arrival of Zapater will mean a great reinforcement to the team’s midfield.
Also this Wednesday, Atlético Ottawa announced the signing of the 23-year-old Swiss player Rubén del Campo, who comes from the Atlético de Madrid academy. Last season, Del Campo played for San Fernando in the Spanish Third Division.
Atlético Ottawa has promised to continue attracting international players to make the team from the Canadian capital the CPL reference.
Spanish players Miguel Acosta Mateos and Diego Espejo de la Concepción are already active in the Canadian team. In addition, there are three other Spaniards on the technical team: coach Carlos González and his assistants David Galán and Borja Montero.
At the moment, Atlético Ottawa is in the penultimate place of the CPL, which is made up of eight teams.