When Atlético Ottawa announced the signing of defender Drew Beckie on Tuesday, it was a homecoming of sorts.

Back in the nation’s capital for the third time after becoming the club’s 19th signing ahead of the 2021 season, Beckie is relishing the chance to return to the city where he spent early parts of his career, and the country he was born in.

He previously played for the Ottawa Fury in 2012, and again in 2014 and 2015. He remembers the city fondly from his time there, and says that getting the chance to come back with Atlético Ottawa was “a no brainer.”

“It’s a great opportunity,” Beckie told CanPL.ca. “When I first spoke with Fernando (Lopez, the club’s CEO) it was an easy and quick decision for me because I was at a point in my career where I wanted to do something new.”

“I know it has no affiliation with the Ottawa Fury and the years that I spent there, but knowing the people in Ottawa and the great fanbase, and to have a club like Atlético Madrid backing the team, it was really easy to make that decision and I’m really excited to sign here,” he added.

Getting the chance to play in a Canadian league was also a huge selling point for Beckie, brother of Canadian women’s national team forward Janine.

“Me playing in a Canadian league, being Canadian, is the best aspect you can have because when I had my time with the national team I never got to play for Canada in Canada,” he said. “It’s special to be in a Canadian-only league where we can build it to the level we want. When I look back in 20 years, it’ll be exciting to see where it began and where it is at that point, so I’m excited to be a part of it at this moment.”

He had signed a contract to go play overseas last July, but after that fell through due to the pandemic and visa problems, Beckie was left wondering what to do next.

“When Atlético became interested and had spoken to my agent, I really just thought it was the best project at the time,” Beckie said. “That was probably in early February. I took some time to think about it and look at all my options, and this was the best project for me.”

Having only played seven games in club history, and yet to actually step on a pitch in Ottawa, it feels in a way like this is Ottawa’s first season.

Beckie played in Ottawa Fury’s inaugural NASL season, as well as the first two seasons in El Paso Locomotive FC history, so he’s used to helping grow something from the ground up.

“Luckily I have a lot of experience with that, I’ve been with a lot of clubs that are either just starting up or are now not a team,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a funny thing with North American sports how that happens.

“I’m happy to bring my experience in that way because it is a very young league with players who don’t have a lot of experience per se, but we do have a lot of talent,” he added. “Being able to be a part of that project, where you’re taking that talent into experience and seeing that journey of the younger players getting better, is what I was looking for and what I want to be a part of.”

The Ottawa squad are currently training in Madrid at the facilities of their parent club, Atlético Madrid, where the club has been “welcomed with open arms.”

Beckie is also able to hone another one of his skills while in Spain – speaking Spanish – there’s nowhere better to do so.

“It’s great practice for me,” Beckie said. “[I’m] able to connect with the staff and maybe explain to some of the younger players what they’re trying to get across, because everything doesn’t translate perfectly.”

“Mista is a very big name here in Spain, he had a great career and is really passionate about coaching. To be able to understand him in his own native language is special too, it’s important.”

Beckie, from Regina, Saskatchewan, is also excited about the announcement in March that his home province was awarded a CPL team (contingent on the building of a soccer-specific stadium).

“It’s a hockey province, but I think what Saskatchewan is starting to do better is that they’re investing in soccer,” Beckie said. “Sask Sport does a good job of putting money toward those sports, and to secure a team would be really big – not only for Saskatoon but for the league.

“I think Saskatoon will do a good job to support their team, and I’m excited to see how that develops. I’ll do anything I can to help them achieve that.”

Like the only other Saskatchewan-born player in the CPL, Valour FC’s Brett Levis, said in March, Beckie says that representing Saskatchewan would be special for him, whether it’s as a player or in another role.

“It’s definitely something I’d consider, you never know how your career is going to go,” Beckie stated. “I’m focused on what I’m doing with Atlético Ottawa, but whatever happens when my contract is done here, then I’ll make a decision. Whether it’s on the field, or maybe coaching in the future, that’s always something that’s a possibility.”

The immediate focus for him and his teammates is preparing for the 2021 CPL season.

While the format of the season is still unconfirmed, Atlético Ottawa are trying to control what they can control.

“You always want to win,” Beckie stated. “We want to be a consistent team who’s competing in every game, working hard. That’s a non-negotiable, and I think everyone would agree with that.

“With us not knowing exactly what the season is going to look like, we’re focused on those things – how we’re going to play, how hard we’re going to work, all of those things we can control. When we have more information about what the season is going to look like we can start making some other goals.

“We’re going to do our best to be fit and ready to go when the games come.”