Atlético Ottawa Adds Portuguese Winger Kevin dos Santos on a Two Year Contact
Published on February 20, 2024 under Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release
OTTAWA, ON - Atlético Ottawa is excited to announce that Portuguese winger Kevin dos Santos has joined the capital team on a two-year contract ahead of the 2024 Canadian Premier League season following an exciting campaign with Ontario-rivals York United.
Dos Santos featured 29 times (all competitions) for the Nine Stripes in 2023, scoring six (6) goals and providing one (1) assist. Notably, the 24-year-old scored the winning goal between York and Atlético Ottawa in the penultimate match of the season at York Lions Stadium, all but propelling his side to their first-ever CPL playoffs.
"We saw firsthand Dos Santos' ability and are excited to add him to our squad for the upcoming season," said Carlos González, Head Coach, Atlético Ottawa. "By signing Kevin we get more offensive capacity. We are very happy to have another player whose characteristics make him capable of generating advantageous situations on his own. His technical ability and physical conditions will make him a player capable of playing in different positions in our attack."
Kevin dos Santos (middle) with Head Coach Carlos González (left) and CEO Fernando López at TD Place (Credit: Chris Hue / Atlético Ottawa)
The Portuguese winger joined the CPL in July 2022, signing for York United after spending an excellent season with Darlington FC in the National League North (sixth tier of the English Football Pyramid). Dos Santos would go on to feature in all 14 remaining matches of the campaign and provided a crucial assist in a 4-2 victory away to Halifax Wanderers in August. He becomes the 18th official player on Atlético Ottawa's roster for the 2024 season.
"The decision to join the club came based on how they sold the project to me. We have the same plans for the future. We want to win," said Dos Santos. "I want to take the step to the next level, it's where I want to be, and I think that the team will help me do that. The fans here, they give you that extra motivation, to show them you can be the best and I can't wait to see them and have ten times more motivation to score in front of them."
More information on Kevin dos Santos' early career
Born in Portugal, Dos Santos began his career at Lisbon-based UD Vilafranquense before moving to Vitória Setúbal and graduating to their U-23 squad. He moved to England in 2019 and signed for Tadcaster Albion. It was while facing Darlington in an FA Cup preliminary tie that Dos Santos impressed Quakers' boss Alun Armstrong and a move followed in the summer of 2021. In 41 appearances for the club, he scored four (4) goals, including a special strike against AFC Fylde that was later voted Goal of the Season while he conjured another magnificent finish in a 3-0 victory over Telford too.
As Atlético Ottawa continues to chart further success in the capital, fans who are eager to secure their part can join the Atleti Family by purchasing their Season Seat Membership now. Full details on benefits and perks are available at atleticoottawa.club.
Atlético Ottawa 2024 Roster as of February 21st, 2024
Goalkeepers: Nathan Ingham (CAN), Rayane Yesli (CAN)
Defenders: Karl Ouimette (CAN), Tyr Walker (CAN), Matteo de Brienne (CAN), Maxim Tissot (CAN), Aboubakary Sacko (FRA), Liberman Torres (ECU), Jonathan Grant (CAN)
Midfielders: Alberto Zapater (ESP), Ollie Bassett (GBR), Gabriel Antinoro (CAN), Kris Twardek (CAN), Abou Sissoko (CAN)
Forwards: Samuel Salter (CAN), Rubén del Campo (ESP), Ballou Tabla (CAN), Kevin dos Santos (POR)
*U Sports: Luca Piccioli (CAN), Samuel Laplante (CAN)
**Ongoing contract discussions: Malcolm Shaw (CAN), Zach Verhoven (CAN), Zachary Roy (CAN)
***Out on-loan: Noah Verhoeven (CAN / Valour FC)
Canadian Premier League Stories from February 20, 2024
- Vancouver FC Sign U-21 Canadian Defender Elage Bah - Vancouver FC
- Concacaf Matchday Information - Cavalry FC
- Atlético Ottawa Adds Portuguese Winger Kevin dos Santos on a Two Year Contact - Atletico Ottawa
- Pacific FC Signs Winger Dario Zanatta - Pacific FC
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