Atletico Madrid Loans Spanish U-20 Prospect Alberto Soto To Atletico Ottawa

Canadian Premier League side Atletico Ottawa has taken a second player on loan from parent club Atletico Madrid.

Today, the Ottawa-based side confirmed that Spanish attacking midfielder Alberto Soto will be with the club for the 2021 CPL season. Having been featured in social media stories of several Atletico Ottawa players, his signing has been expected for a few weeks now.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was enlisted by the Atletico Madrid Academy in 2017, scoring twice in six appearances for the 19-20 UEFA Youth League. He spent the 20-21 season on loan with Segunda Division B side CF La Nucia, making twelve appearances for the fourth division side.

Alberto Soto is a very attack minded player. When the ball is at his feet, he has his eye on the goal. He can create chances and put the ball in the net. He will be a strong addition linking our midfield to our forwards. It is special to have another player from the Atletico de Madrid academy loaned to our club.

Atletico Ottawa CEO Fernando Lopez

Soto has also made five appearance for Spain at the U-20 level, suggesting that the youngster will expect to be a breakthrough player with Atletico Ottawa despite his age.

All-told, this looks like a significant loan signing for the expansion side – especially with OneSoccer analyst Oliver Platt having previously speculated that he’s expected to fill the shoes of Francisco Acuna in the number ten position.

Lopez had previously referred to Soto – who wasn’t revealed at the time – as the club’s ‘secret weapon’ for the upcoming season.

Soto becomes the second Atletico Madrid loanee to come in from the academy this season, with the loan of Dominican Republic U-23 Rafael Nunez having been announced last week. The CPL side also took in Keesean Ferdinand from CF Montreal.

Soto is technically a very strong player. He brings a lot of talent to the team, especially on the attack. To have someone who has been a Spanish youth international is very special for this league and our club. Fans will take notice when he has the ball at his feet.

Mista

The 20-year-old becomes the twenty-second player enlisted by Atletico Ottawa for the upcoming season, and the seventh of seven allowed international signings. This means that the Ottawa-based side only has one roster spot remaining, and it’ll need to be given to a domestic player.

The Atletico Ottawa midfield contingent is looking pretty sharp, with returning Island Games athletes Ben McKendry, Viti Martinez, and Antoine Coupland now complimented by the likes of Tevin Shaw, Osah Bernardinho, Chris Mannella, Ryan Telfer, Zach Verhoven, Jordan Webb, and the aforementioned Rafael Nunez.

Atletico Ottawa will begin its second-ever season with an opening match against FC Edmonton this Saturday.