Atletico Ottawa Releases Sacko And Piccioli

Atletico Ottawa is clearing roster space for the secondary transfer window, with the club announcing the removal of Aboubakary Sacko from its CPL roster effectively immediately while Luca Piccioli now formally lands with OSU Atletico to circumvent Soccer Quebec blocking a direct loan to the Ligue Quebec side.

Sacko, 21, arrived to TD Place last March as an exciting prospect from the Le Havre Academy. The left-sided defender never broke through with the team, however. He was unable to earn consistent minutes during his time in the red-and-white, making ten appearances last year before his season was cute short with a summertime injury.

The Frenchman made just two off-the-bench appearances this year, tallying just twelve minutes of game time ahead of today’s departure.

“Atletico thanks Sacko for his professionalism and commitment during his time in Ottawa and wishes him the best in his career,” read a statement from the club.

Get To Know: Aboubakary Sacko

The team also confirms that Luca Piccioli has formally left the side in a formal conclusion of his U SPORTS contract, though the Carleton Ravens standout will still train with the first team. As a free agent, he’s now joined Ligue1 Quebec side OSU Atletico, with the club stating that simply undergoing a loan move was not possible given that Ligue1 Quebec does not allow athletes to be loaned in from CPL.

That statement is definitely a purposeful shot at Ligue Quebec, with the club off-handedly mentioning that other League1 Canada divisions (such as League1 Ontario and League1 BC, which are operated by CSB) allow for such moves. Ligue1 Quebec is operated by Soccer Quebec, however, and evidently takes a different approach.

Piccioli had made history as the first Carleton player to an a U SPORTS contract with Ottleti, with the Ravens midfielder having previously trained with the side through the Atletico Madrid development program. He was unable to earn his first professional minutes while on the U SPORTS Deal, however.

The move leaves Atletico Ottawa with twenty registered players on the roster, with Jonathan Grant out for the season and Noah Verhoeven on loan with Valour FC.

Header Image Photo Credit: Audrey Magny