Atlético Ottawa Signs Canadian Forward Ballou Tabla to a Multi-Year Deal
January 22, 2024 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release
Atlético Ottawa forward Ballou Tabla (left) and Head Coach Carlos González celebrating 2022 CPL Regular Season title
(Atletico Ottawa, Credit: Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography)
OTTAWA, ON - Kicking off Soccerlude 2024, a celebration of the Beautiful Game in Ottawa, Atlético has today confirmed the blockbuster return of Canadian forward Ballou Tabla on a three-year contract, joining from Turkish side Manisa FK in an undisclosed deal.
The electric winger proved to be one of the brightest sparks in the 2022 Canadian Premier League season as Atlético Ottawa was crowned Regular Season Champions. That year, Tabla was the second-highest goal scorer for Ottawa (7 goals) and led the team in assists (4) on the way to Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year nominations in his inaugural CPL campaign.
"We're are thrilled to announce the return of Ballou Tabla to Atlético Ottawa," said Fernando Lopez, CEO, Atlético Ottawa. "His ability makes him the kind of player who is worth the admission fee alone, as was evident during our title-winning campaign in 2022. Ballou perfectly embodies Atlético's ambition in Ottawa and the top-tier talent we're always seeking to attract. Players that elevate the level of the Canadian Premier League. He has a special bond with the supporters of this team, and openly expresses the joy he felt playing in front of the electric crowd here at TD Place. Players thrive in places where they find happiness, and that's what you get when Ballou is in Ottawa. You can expect the thousands of fans who come through our gates this season to be on the edge of their seats with Ballou on this team."
Ballou Tabla in action at TD Place - Canadian Premier League, 2022 (Credit: Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography)
Speaking on his move to Atlético, Tabla said: "I had options, but Ottawa was my first choice. It was the only choice in my head. On a personal level, I had a fantastic season but I have so many great memories here, with the club, the staff and the fans. My family is close by in Montréal. Overall, there wasn't a better choice for me. It is a decision based on love and affection and I didn't hesitate for a second when the opportunity revealed itself."
Following his thrilling season in the CPL, Ballou caught the eye of many teams in North America and in Europe and the 24-year-old decided to take the next step in joining Manisa FK in Turkey during the January transfer window of the 2022/23 season. Ballou settled into life quickly and featured fourteen times (nine starts) scoring three (3) goals and providing two (2) assists. He ended his one-year spell in Turkey with four (4) goals and two (2) assists in 23 matches.
"People usually return to the places where they've found their greatest happiness and where they we able to give their best efforts," said Carlos González, Head Coach, Atlético Ottawa. "Ballou's arrival fills us with joy. With the incorporation of Ballou in this roster we increase our team's offensive potential with him being, as we already know, a player capable of generating danger on his own. His versatility, experience, and winning mentality not only contribute to our pursuit of ambitious goals but also give us an added responsibility to continue making him grow in his sporting career and allow him to take his game to yet unseen heights."
More information on Ballou Tabla's early career
A product of the Montreal Impact Academy, Tabla spent time with Quebec amateur clubs, with the Impact's U18 side in the U.S Soccer Development Academy and with FC Montreal in the USL, before signing a Homegrown Player by the Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal) in 2016. At that time, Tabla was also said to be eyed by several big European teams the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and FC Barcelona, and was often spoken about in the same bracket as Canada star Alphonso Davies.
In January 2018, after establishing himself as an emerging talent in Major League Soccer, featuring in 21 matches, scoring twice, and setting up two more goals, Tabla became the first Impact Academy product to be sold to Europe at age 18 when he joined FC Barcelona. He went on to play in 30 matches over two seasons with Barcelona B in Spain's second tier.
Tabla returned to MLS in August 2019, first on a loan agreement, then on a permanent transfer to CF Montreal, with the promise of more demonstration of the electric winger's vast potential. In 2020 and 2021, he featured sparingly for the Montreal club, but made a splash in the September 2021 Canadian Championship matchup against Halifax, scoring two goals to help his side move on to capture a fifth Voyageurs Cup.
Images from this story
 Atlético Ottawa forward Ballou Tabla (Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography) |
 Atlético Ottawa forward Ballou Tabla (left) and Head Coach Carlos González celebrating 2022 CPL Regular Season title (Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography) |
Canadian Premier League Stories from January 22, 2024
- Cavalry FC Re-Signs Midfielder Charlie Trafford - Cavalry FC
- Atlético Ottawa Signs Canadian Forward Ballou Tabla to a Multi-Year Deal - Atletico Ottawa
- Soccerlude Is Back and Better Than Ever for 2024 - Atletico Ottawa
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