Atlético Ottawa has signed former Pacific FC standout Zach Verhoven for the 2021 CPL season, the club announced Thursday.

Verhoven, 22, made 33 appearances for the Tridents in two seasons and made the switch to Ottawa as one of the CPL’s more robust wide players.

“We followed Zach closely at the Island Games and we were impressed with his performance,” Atlético Ottawa CEO Fernando Lopez said. “He is a player with flair and he can create scoring opportunities. We look forward to seeing his continued development this season and beyond.”

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Verhoven, a youth product of the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, was drafted by PFC in the 2018 CPL-U SPORTS Draft from the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and went on to score three goals and record two assists. The Surrey, British Columbia native held a similar scoring record in university, notching 12 goals, and adding 22 assists across three seasons before jumping to the professional level.

“I have enjoyed every moment since arriving in Spain to begin preseason training,” Verhoven said. “Thank you to everyone at the club especially my teammates for welcoming me with open arms. We are building something special here and I am more motivated than ever to work hard and pay back the club for their belief in me. This season cannot get here fast enough, we will be ready.”

Verhoven is the 14th player announced by Atlético Ottawa for the 2021 CPL season. He joins fellow Canadians Jordan Webb, Dylon Powley, Chris Mannella and Keesean Ferdinand as new signings for the club.