Atlético Ottawa has selected midfielder Junior Agyekum and striker Mohamed Bouzidi in the 2023 U SPORTS Draft.

Head Coach Carlos González revealed on Thursday afternoon that Atlético chose Calgary-born midfielder Junior Agyekum and local striker Mohamed Bouzidi in the club’s two picks for the 2023 U SPORTS Draft.

Agyekum was a pivotal element of the Thomson Rivers WolfPack’s National Championship winning side in 2022, being named championship MVP and awarded a place on the All-Star team which played its part in catching Atleti’s eye.

“We are well aware of the season he has had,” said González. “He’s 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.”

The 20-year-old is no stranger to competitive soccer either having come through the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy as well as featuring for Rivers FC in BC League One.

“My experience has helped develop me into a more mature player and has given me tools to my arsenal which I can hopefully use to my advantage,” said Agyekum. “I work extremely hard off the ball and am not afraid to put in a tackle. On the ball, I like to try and drive forward on the dribble or connect and combine with my teammates.

“Words could not express how incredibly excited and honoured I am to have been selected by Atlético Ottawa. It’s a dream come true for me and I feel grateful for the opportunity to try and fight for a spot whilst learning from my coaches and teammates.”

González added: “Junior is a player with great physicality and brings a balance to his teams. He’s versatile, he can play in many different positions in midfield, and his capacities match really well with what we are looking for in a midfielder.”

In the second round, Atleti chose much closer to home with Carleton Ravens striker Mohamed Bouzidi set to the given a chance to earn his place in the frontline. A self-described ‘goalscorer’, Bouzidi was given a chance to shine in front of the coaches last summer during the Atletico Madrid Development Program when he was still only 17 years old, learning skills that allowed him to hit the ground running with the Ravens.

“It was a great experience,” Bouzidi said. “I felt I was maybe lacking a little during the summer but in the U SPORTS season, I felt I improved a lot. The development program challenged me and pushed me to become a better player in many ways. My confidence and mental state, I’m way more focussed now which has pushed me to develop physically as well.”

The sentiment was echoed by assistant coach (and Ravens head coach) Kwesi Loney who has been the driving force behind Atleti’s development program where in the capital and has kept a keen eye on the 18-year-old’s progress.

“In his rookie season with Carleton, he scored seven goals in just 10 games and has shown tremendous maturity and growth in that time,” he said. “His selection is indicative of Atlético’s desire to invest and nurture the local talent from our community.”

Both players will meet up with Atlético Ottawa’s squad for pre-season in the new year where they will be given a chance to fight for a place in González’s squad for the upcoming 2023 season.