Atlético Ottawa added a big piece to their backline on Thursday with the signing of 31-year-old full-back Brett Levis.

Levis has signed a two-year deal, and as a veteran of 10 professional seasons across the top leagues in North America, he brings crucial experience to the nation’s capital.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the CPL, especially with a team like Atlético Ottawa,” said Levis. “The atmosphere was always amazing when I played at TD Place against Atlético, now I get to play for them in front of this growing, passionate Canadian soccer fanbase. I’m looking forward to competing for trophies in the country’s capital while continuing to grow soccer in Canada and help inspire the next generation of players.”

The Regina native spent the past two seasons in the USL Championship, initially with FC Tulsa in 2023 before being traded to Detroit City FC later that year. With Detroit, he made 34 appearances in all competitions.

He began his professional career with the Vancouver Whitecaps organization in 2015, spending five seasons with the club and making 23 MLS appearances. In 2020, Levis joined Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League, making 45 appearances in all competitions for the club and scoring three times over the course of three seasons.

Levis scored what was certainly his most memorable Canadian Premier League goal in the nation’s capital on Apr. 24, 2022, during a 6-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa. Picking up the ball inside his own half, he made a lovely slaloming run, beating multiple Ottawa players before sending a shot into the top left corner.

The 31-year-old fills a significant position of need for the capital club following the transfer of Matteo de Brienne to GAIS in Sweden and the retirement of club captain Maxim Tissot this off-season. A former winger, Levis will bring a similar attacking flair to the capital club as de Brienne, as well as defensive solidity.

He also adds positional and tactical versatility, having played occasionally as both a right and left-sided midfielder during his time with Detroit City.

“Brett was our top target at left-back and we are delighted to bring him to Ottawa, and back to Canada,” said Atlético Ottawa general manager JD Ulanowski. “Following Maxim Tissot’s retirement we wanted to bring in a player who not only has the technical quality to raise the level of the squad but someone who would bring a strong voice and experience to the locker room. His versatility allows us to play in different ways and he’s a player that stands out when he’s on the ball.”

In his most recent Canadian Premier League season, in 2022, Levis finished first in the league with 52 interceptions, and was third in duels won (180 won, 57.5 per cent success rate), fourth in recoveries (169) and fifth in tackles won (40).

Levis also proved to be an excellent ball mover during his time in the league, finishing in the top 20 in dribbles completed (11th) and passes into the final third (20th) in 2022.

He will add further experience to an Atlético backline that already features plenty, including Amer Didić (123 CPL regular season games played), Johnny Grant (54) and goalkeeper Nathan Ingham (120).

Levis and Atlético Ottawa recently kicked off preseason in the nation’s capital and will be heading down to Mexico in mid-March. They host the very first match of the 2025 CPL regular season, facing Halifax Wanderers on Saturday, April 5.