FC Edmonton announced yet another returning player for 2021 on Wednesday, revealing that centre-back Mélé Temguia will be back with the club for next season.

Temguia, 25, played for the Eddies in both of the past two CPL campaigns, making 34 appearances in total for the club as one of their most reliable defenders in both years. He played in all but one of FCE’s matches in 2019, scoring their first-ever goal in the Canadian Premier League era in their victory over Valour FC.

Originally born in Darmstadt, Germany, Temguia grew up in Montreal, playing in the Montreal Impact academy and turning out for their reserve side in USL. He also briefly played under incoming Eddies boss Alan Koch during a short stretch at FC Cincinnati before moving to play in Australia, and then ultimately returning to Canada to sign in Edmonton.

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“I have been fortunate to work with Mele earlier in his career and have been impressed with his profession since he joined FC Edmonton,” Koch said in a media release.

“He continues to progress on the pitch and this season will be a big part of him taking the next step in his career. He is a modern-day centre-back and I look forward to him playing a significant role on our new team.”

Temguia is the 11th FC Edmonton player confirmed for the 2021 CPL season, joining fellow returnees Easton Ongaro, Jeannot Esua, Ramon Soria, Marcus Velado-Tsegaye, Chance Carter, and Antony Caceres, and newcomers Shamit Shone, Fraser Aird, Kyle Porter and Paris Gee.

Mele Temguia has a message for the FC Edmonton fans. He’s excited to be back, and we are so excited to have him back! ??#oneofourown pic.twitter.com/LkQ8ndsuV2

— FC Edmonton (@FCEdmontonNow) January 6, 2021