Gianni Dos Santos Makes Move To Atletico Ottawa

Atletico Ottawa has secured another CPL attacker with Gianni Dos Santos, who arrives to TD Place on a two-year deal.

The 24-year-old Cape Verde international had spent the last two seasons with Pacific FC, helping secure the club’s title-winning goal in 2021. He tallied 48 appearances for the Tridents while out west, accruing five goals and seven assists before departing after last year’s campaign.

Dos Santos began his career with FC Dordrecht in 2017 before transitioning to Sparta Rotterdam as a youth prospect the following season. Returning to Dordrecht again after that, he was described as a ‘diamond in the rough’ by head coach Harry van den Ham and scored four goals in 17 appearances before Pacific took a chance on the Dutch-Cape Verdean dual national.

“Gianni is a dynamic and talented player who will bring something new and different to our forward line,” said Carlos Gonzalez, who also added something different to his midfielder with Noah Verhoeven earlier this month.

“His pace, technical ability, and eye for goal will be a valuable addition for us, and I am confident he will make a big impact over the next two years.”

See Also: 2023 CPL Roster Tracker

Club CEO Fernando Lopez has faith aplenty in Dos Santos as well, describing the former Pacific man as an athlete who has the potential to be one of the best wingers in the league.

The club recently sold star winger Ballou Tabla to Turkish side Manisa FK. While Tabla featured on the right flank, Dos Santos offers some flexibility in where he slots in along the forward line.

It’s fair to say the club’s last international plucked from Pacific FC has done pretty well.

Dos Santos becomes the third player to arrive to Ottawa from elsewhere within the league this offseason, with the team purchasing Samuel Salter from the Halifax Wanderers after picking up former York United midfielder Noah Verhoeven on a free transfer.

Atletico Ottawa will kick off the club’s fourth campaign by hosting Halifax at home on April 15, four days before facing against them at a neutral venue in cup play.

Dos Santos won’t have too long to wait until he suits up against his former side, with Atletico Ottawa set to host Pacific FC on May 6.