Atlético Ottawa is excited to announce the acquisition of Guyana international and three-time Canadian Premier League (CPL) champion, Jonathan Grant, on a two-year contract.
Grant is a versatile defender who can be deployed at right-back and central defence. Ottawa becomes the third side Grant will have represented in Ontario, having been crowned CPL Champion three times in four years with Forge and featuring 14 times for York United last season.
The 30-year-old from Pickering, ON, has represented Canada at the under-23 level before committing his senior future to the Guyana National Team in 2023, making six appearances for the Golden Jaguars.
“We are delighted to have Jonny Grant in our squad, a player with a great track record and who will give us high levels of defensive reliability,” said Carlos González, Head Coach, Atlético Ottawa. “His experience and versatility within the defensive line are aspects of great consideration and fit perfectly with our needs.”
Grant has explained that his decision to join Atlético Ottawa reflects his belief in the club’s vision and ambition.
“A big factor for me was what I heard about the team we are putting together,” he said. “We are putting together a special group that can compete for big things. It’s important to me how well we can compete. Of course, it keeps me close to home and my family, which is crucial, and I know a few guys on the team, having played with Max Tissot and played against others over the years.”
Reflecting on his successful CPL career to date and his hunger for more silverware, Grant added: “I have the feeling of knowing what it’s like to win, and that makes you hungry for it again. Any season without the feeling feels like a failure, and it’s set the standard of what I want out of each season I play going forward.”
Grant’s journey to professional soccer began in his hometown with Wexford SC before joining Sigma FC in League1 Ontario at the age of 15 where he first played under Forge Head Coach Bobby Smyrniotis. His talents garnered attention abroad, leading to a training spell with Belgian top-flight side Genk before returning to North American soccer, including spells with USL and MLS-affiliated teams ahead of joining Forge in 2019 where he was crowned champion in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
