Atlético Ottawa has signed Canadian defender signed Brett Levis to a two-year deal.
The ex-Valour left-back moves to the nation’s capital to replace Matteo de Brienne, who left for Swedish first division side GAIS in the off-season.
Levis, 31, most recently played for Detroit City FC in the USL Championship, making 17 appearances across two seasons and recording contributing to two goals.
“Brett was our top target at left-back and we are delighted to bring him to Ottawa, and back to Canada,” said JD Ulanowski, general manager of Atlético Ottawa in a statement. “Following Maxim Tissot's retirement we wanted to bring in a player who not only has the technical quality to raise the level of the squad but someone who would bring a strong voice and experience to the locker room. His versatility allows us to play in different ways and he's a player that stands out when he's on the ball.”
Levis is no stranger to the Canadian Premier League, appearing 45 times for Valour from 2020 to 2022, where he provided three assists and three goals – including a fantastic strike at TD Place against his current club.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the CPL, especially with a team like Atletico Ottawa,” said Levis in a statement. “The atmosphere was always amazing when I played at TD Place against Atletico, now I get to play for them in front of this growing, passionate Canadian soccer fanbase. I’m looking forward to competing for trophies in the country’s capital while continuing to grow soccer in Canada and help inspire the next generation of players.”
The 31-year-old defender joins a squad consisting of goalkeeper Nathan Ingham; defenders Tyr Walker, Jonathan Grant, Amer Didi?, Noah Abatneh, and Loïc Cloutier; midfielders Manny Aparicio, Aboubacar Sissoko, Noah Verhoeven, Gabriel Antinoro, Alberto Zapater, and Juan 'Coque' Castro; and forwards Ballou Tabla, Kevin Santos, Sam Salter, and David Rodríguez.
Atlético Ottawa are back in action on April 5, as they open the Canadian Premier League season at home against the Halifax Wanderers.
Ottléti, who will face Valour on May 10 at TD Place, will be looking to lift their first trophy since 2022, having won their first and only piece of silverware to date three seasons ago, when they finished 1st in the league’s regular season.
