Highly-Coveted Canadian Midfielder Manny Aparicio Joins Atlético Ottawa

March 22, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release

Atlético Ottawa midfielder Manny Aparicio
(Atletico Ottawa, Credit: Chris Hue)

Atlético Ottawa is delighted to announce the signing of highly-coveted Canadian midfielder Manny Aparicio on a two-year contract with an option to extend until the end of the 2026 Canadian Premier League (CPL) season.

Aparicio, 28, moves to the nation’s capital following three exceptional seasons with Pacific FC, where he was crowned CPL Champion in 2021. The Argentina-born midfielder graduated from Toronto FC’s Academy and featured prominently in Canada’s under-20 and under-23 programs. Aparicio made his senior international debut for Canada at 19 years old in a friendly match against Colombia.

“We are thrilled to welcome Manny to Ottawa,” said Fernando López, CEO of Atlético Ottawa. “Manny is a player who has proven to be one of the best players in the Canadian Premier League for years. He was a highly coveted player during this off-season, with interest throughout the CPL, MLS and USL and we are delighted to have seen his eagerness to join our project.”

Atlético Ottawa midfielder Manny Aparicio at TD Place (credit: Chris Hue / Atlético Ottawa)

“I was eager to join Atlético for a few reasons,” said Aparicio. “First and foremost was the project being built for this year, and the project going forward. The fans and support this team receives, the way the club is growing in the local area and being part of the Atlético family, what it means to put on that red and white jersey. It’s special.”

Speaking of his time with the club, Aparicio added: “I’ve been here for a couple of weeks now, and I’m enjoying the work we’ve been putting in. We have a really strong group of players, and the work being done by the staff has been top-class. Playing against top opposition has been a positive challenge, and it’s great to see the group starting to gel together, on and off the field.”

Between 2019 and 2020, Aparicio featured 37 times and was club captain for York United (formerly York9), scoring four goals and providing two assists. Aparicio joined Pacific in 2021 and would play 78 times for the side from Victoria, BC. He scored ten goals and provided 12 assists, including a crucial goal as they defeated MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in the Canadian Championship in 2021 and an assist in the 2021 CPL playoff semi-final against Cavalry FC. Most recently, Aparicio was named to the CPL Best Eleven and was a Player of…