York United FC Sign Mexican Defender Oswaldo León

January 25, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – York United FC News Release

York United FC has announced the signing of Mexican defender Oswaldo León on a one-year deal, plus a club option for a further twelve months.

The 24-year-old boasts some impressive experience, having signed with Club América as a teenager and blossoming in their youth setup. The most successful club in Mexico, Las Águilas play their home games at the iconic Azteca Stadium and it was there – in July, 2018 – where León made his professional debut under legendary football figure Miguel Herrera.

He has featured prominently at underage level for his country too, starting all three FIFA Under-20 World Cup games in 2019: against Italy, Japan and Ecuador. The previous year, he was part of the Mexico squad that made it to the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship final. In total he started four times, including the decider against the United States, even registering an assist along the way.

León has also played for Club Atlético Zacatepec, Cancún FC, Tiaxcala, Venados and Dorados Sinaloa – all in the Mexican second tier. He’s the third notable addition to Martin Nash’s roster for the upcoming season, with Canadian defender Juan Cordova and Liechtenstein winger Dennis Salanovic also arriving in recent weeks.

It’s been a busy period for the club, with the official unveiling of new owners Game Plan Sports Group in December and the appointment of Jorge Villalpando as Technical/Sporting Director earlier this month.

“We’re excited to bring Oswaldo to the club and he was a priority for us over the past few months,” says York United FC Head Coach Martin Nash.

“He’s a left-footed centre-back with good experience and pedigree, a solid defender with the ability to play out from the back. He’s a commanding and resilient presence but there’s a calm and composure to his game and a comfort on the ball. He’s still a young player but there’s a ton of impressive game-time that he brings to the table. He’s hungry and determined, that kind of attitude goes a long way. I’m delighted to get him and he’s going to be a wonderful addition to the group.”

The Nine Stripes will get the new season underway with a trip to Atletico Ottawa on Saturday, April 13 before a home opener against bitter local rivals Forge FC on Sunday, April 21. The full Canadian Premier League campaign schedule, presented by WestJet, was released this week.

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