Atlético Ottawa brings back Jamaican international Tevin Shaw for 2021 season

2021-02-09

CanPL.ca Staff

Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Tevin Shaw from suiting up for Atlético Ottawa at last summer’s Island Games in PEI.

But Atlético remains steadfast in their belief that Shaw can be an impact player in the CPL, announcing the re-signing of the midfielder on Tuesday.

Shaw, a Jamaican international, was originally signed by Ottawa last March but he didn’t end up competing in the 2020 CPL season, as he was unable to join the team in Canada.

Atlético Ottawa CEO Fernando Lopez called Shaw “a dynamic and versatile player with a wealth of experience.” Coach Mista labelled Shaw an “experienced and a technically gifted player” whom he hopes can give his side “that touch of quality in the midfield.”

“We are looking forward to finally have him join the club. Shaw has been working hard, silently, and showed patience throughout the 2020 season while at home in Jamaica. We are ready to welcome him to Ottawa and truly show the country the talent he has inside,” Lopez said in a media release.

Shaw, a 23-year-old defensive midfielder who’s played his entire career in his native country, most recently suited up for Portmore United, the most successful club in Jamaica. He made 21 appearances for Portmore in 2019-20, helping them to third place — where they were when the league suspended its season in March due to COVID-19.

He also started for Portmore United in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions League round of 16 tie against Mexican outfit Cruz Azul at the Estadio Azteca last February, his first appearance in the continental tournament.

Prior to joining Portmore, Shaw spent three years at Tivoli Gardens, for whom he made 85 appearances in Jamaica’s top flight. His first pro side was Boys’ Town, also in the Jamaican Premier League.

Shaw has represented his country at the senior level, appearing in six international friendlies in 2018, including games against South Korea and Ecuador.

“I am excited to re-sign with Atlético Ottawa. It was difficult to watch The Island Games from home in 2020. I felt like I should have been out there on the field with the squad. I can’t wait to get started in Ottawa,” the Jamaican said in a a media release.

Shaw is the eighth player confirmed for Atlético Ottawa’s 2021 roster, a list that includes fellow returnees Antoine Coupland, Vashon Neufville, Ben McKendry, Brandon John, and newcomer Keesean Ferdinand. Ottawa also selected a pair of young prospects at the recent CPL-U SPORTS Draft, with Cristopher Malekos and Reggie Laryea earning invites to pre-season training camp.

Ottawa is well behind other CPL teams in terms of player signings, but Lopez insists he has a plan. First, it was securing coach Mista for the upcoming season. After that came a series of intense conversations about which players to retain.

“We wanted to do everything with common sense – just take more time,” Lopez told CanPL.ca.

“Last year everything was done so quickly so we wanted to take the time and analyze everything this time around – including the league, the level, everything like that.”

So far, only three players have formally departed the club: goalkeeper Ricky Gomes, attacker Francisco Acuña, and striker Maksym Kowal. Acuña, 32, is by far the most substantial loss, with the Liga MX veteran returning to Mexico to continue his club career.

Ottawa is expected to announce another handful of re-signings in the coming weeks, something that’s by design for Lopez and his team back in Madrid.

“I wanted to keep that momentum for the right time – and that started in the New Year. We will keep announcing our players. We have a few players ready to go,” Lopez said.