December 15, 2022 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release
Atlético Ottawa selected Calgary-born midfielder Junior Agyekum from Thompson Rivers University (first round) and Ottawa forward Mohamed Bouzidi from Carleton University (second round) in Thursday’s 2023 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.
Previously part of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, Agyekum is a second-year business student from Thompson Rivers University, a commanding midfielder and Ottawa’s first pick in this year’s U SPORTS Draft (eighth overall). The 20-year-old, who has experience in League1 BC, was instrumental in his side’s first-ever U SPORTS National Championship victory in 2022 featuring in every game for the Thompson Rivers WolfPack and was named ‘Performer of the Match’ in two of the three championship games including the final against UBC Thunderbirds where he was awarded championship MVP and a place on the All-Star team.
“Junior is a player with great physicality and brings balance to his teams,” said Ottawa head coach Carlos González. “He’s versatile and his capacities match really well with what we are looking for in a midfielder. We are well aware of the season he has had, an important piece for his coach and an MVP, who shows in every game that he has a competitive and a winning mentality which is what we look for in our squad and to improve our team.”
In the second round of picks (fifteenth overall), Atleti selected local striker Mohamed Bouzidi from Carleton University. The Ottawa science student was given the opportunity to train in front of Atlético’s coaches through the Atlético Madrid development program and, thanks to the local expertise of Atleti assistant coach Kwesi Loney, the club was able to identify Bouzidi early on, bringing him into the program, working with him and ultimately selecting the 18-year-old in his first year of U SPORTS Draft eligibility.
“The club has been tracking Bouzidi since his involvement in the development program last summer and, through that, he was invited to train with the first team when he was only 17,” explained Loney. “In his rookie season with Carleton, he scored seven goals in just 10 games and has shown tremendous maturity and growth in that time. His selection is indicative of Atlético’s desire to invest and nurture the local talent from our community.”
The two draft picks will be invited to Atlético Ottawa’s pre-season training with the hopes of securing a 2023 U SPORTS Development Contract for the upcoming…
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