Atlético Ottawa announced on Friday the signing of 19-year-old local defender and Carleton University student Tyr Walker to a U SPORTS contract for the 2023 season.

Walker is from Russell, ON, and graduated from Ottawa St. Anthony Futuro Soccer Club’s academy before being selected by the Atlético de Madrid Development program in the nation’s capital (implemented by Atlético Ottawa). The 19-year-old impressed during his trial period and was given the opportunity to train with the team last season before being invited to pre-season in Madrid ahead of the 2023 campaign, where he featured three times (twice off the bench) and scored against UD San Sebastián de los Reyes.

“We are thrilled to announce the signing of Tyr Walker to our first team. This is a proud moment for Atlético Ottawa, for the local soccer community and the whole Ottawa/Gatineau region,” said Fernando López, CEO, Atlético Ottawa. “It shows that there is a clear pathway for young players to reach their dreams of playing professional soccer in Canada. Tyr is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Powered By Program and our local partnered clubs, and we look forward to seeing him develop and contribute to our team’s success. He is already an inspiration to other local players who aspire to play at the highest level, and we are excited to see what the future holds for him.”

Head of the Atlético de Madrid Development Program in Ottawa, Kwesi Loney said: “He’s shown a lot of maturity and growth over the period of time he’s been with the club, particularly in pre-season in Spain. Every day he took the opportunity to learn, develop and push himself and this contract is a testament to the work that he has put in. I’m also really happy to say that he is a local player that was identified and joined our u23 development program last season where he was invited to train with the first team and from there he really took advantage of the opportunity. It’s a great indication of what the club is looking to present here in the city and a great pathway for other young players to follow. I’m really happy for Tyr and hope he grabs this chance to grow further.”

Walker added: “It’s an amazing feeling to be offered a contract with my local professional club. Growing up playing soccer, I always dreamt of playing at a high level and as a kid from Ottawa, it’s even more special because I get to represent my hometown, and my city and hopefully make my community proud. Of course, there’s also a bit of nervousness and pressure that comes with the job, but I’m relishing the challenge. I’m eager to learn from this experience, from the coaches and my teammates to improve my skills, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Walker, who also featured against CF Montréal U23’s in Ottawa in April, joins the club on a 2023 U SPORTS Development Contract which allows student-athletes with one to four years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining to sign with a CPL club while preserving their eligibility before returning to U SPORTS competition after the season.