Atlético Ottawa announced the signing of Mexican midfielder Juan Castro Friday, ahead of the 2025 Canadian Premier League season.
The 33 year-old midfielder joins the capital city club on a one-year contract, with an option for the 2026 season.
Castro joins Ottawa from Liga MX’s Atlético San Luis in Mexico, where he holds the record for appearances with 289 matches played.
The midfielder has made 120 appearances in Mexico’s top tier, scoring 19 goals in that time.
“I’m really excited about this new challenge,” said Castro, via a club statement. “Every time I step onto the field, I’m looking to grow and push myself further, and joining this club in the Canadian Premier League represents a new chapter in my career and life. It’s an opportunity to adapt to a different style of play and continue improving as a player.
“The CPL is an exciting and developing league. It’s clear that the league is growing in stature, and the level of competition is improving every season. I’m looking forward to being a part of that growth and contributing to the league’s development, both on and off the field.”
Castro brings ‘depth’ and ‘versatility’ to Atlético Ottawa
Ottawa’s new manager Diego Mejía is hoping Castro, who goes by his nickname Coque, will bring experience and leadership to his squad as they look to improve on their third place finish last season.
“We are really excited to welcome Coque to our team,” said Mejía, via the same club statement Friday. “His arrival provides our squad with great quality and depth, and his versatility has allowed him to excel in multiple positions.
“Coque has an outstanding reputation as a player with title-winning experience and the ability to make a significant impact both on and off the field. We’re glad he chose to join us during this next step in his career.”
