Singh Set For Second CPL Loan

Toronto FC Defender Luke Singh will embark on a second season on loan in the Canadian Premier League this, this time with Atletico Ottawa.

The 22-year-old defender had made 24 appearances for FC Edmonton in the club’s final campaign last year, accruing plenty of game time and establishing himself as a big, physical presence within the league after a false-start loan with Pacific.

He featured in every Eddies match against Atletico Ottawa last season, helped the Eddies to one win, one draw, and two losses against against the capital city club, evidently catching the eye of head coach Carlos Gonzalez in that time.

“He has shown good strength of character and will be eager to prove himself this season,” said the Atletico Ottawa gaffer. “He is a strong defender with a good passing range and, his ability to play with both feet adds increased depth and versatility to our defensive line.”

The Brampton-born defender signed a first team contract with TFC in 2021 after progressing through the club’s academy, where he had featured in League1 Ontario before signing a professional deal with Toronto FC’s USL affiliate in 2019.

The young defensive talent was then sent on loan to Danish Superliga side Brondby IF, whom he had trialed with the year prior. While he didn’t break into the first team, he did make 24 appearances at the reserve level before returning to train with the first team of Toronto FC in 2020.

The following season saw Luke Singh make his club debut for Toronto FC in a Champions League match away against Leon. He also started the next leg against them, inking his first team contract with Toronto FC afterwards, as he’d technically been on loan from Toronto FC II.

Interestingly, it marks the second time Atletico Ottawa has loaned a player who had been on loan elsewhere in the league last year, with new loanee Jean-Aniel Assi having played for Cavalry in 2022.

“We are excited to have Luke join our team on loan for the upcoming season,” added club CEO Fernando Lopez. “His experience playing in the MLS and abroad, combined with his youth and potential, make him a valuable addition to our squad for this season. We look forward to helping him in his professional development as well as growing our relationship with Toronto FC.”

Atletico Ottawa is currently in Spain for preseason camp, and bolstered its backline with the unexpected loan return of Diego Espejo – a league-leading defender – for the upcoming season.

Having finished last year as the regular season champions, expectations will be higher than ever for the capital city club this year.