New soccer team coming to the capital in Spring 2020

Come this spring, Ottawa will have a new sports team to cheer on in soccer. 

In an announcement Tuesday at TD Place, the Canadian Premier League confirmed Canada's capital will be the league's eighth club member.

Ottawa's team will be called Atlético Ottawa, which was inspired by its globally recognized parent club team Club Atlético de Madrid.

Miguel Angel Ferrer “Mista,” a 41-year-old former Spanish forward, will be the team's inaugural head coach.

Mista has spent most of his career in Spain playing in La Liga. He's won two Spanish league titles and was a member of the 2004 UEFA Cup winning squad where he scored the second goal in a 2-0 victory over the Olympique de Marseille of France.

“I'm very excited to be back in the Atlético family, a club I know well and have fond memories of,” Mista said. “It's a new challenge that I'm very excited about.”

“Bringing soccer to Ottawa has been a priority for us and having the involvement of one of the leaders in global football is something we are very excited about,” David Clanachan, CPL's commissioner, said.

Overseeing the operations for Atlético Ottawa alongside Hunt is Club Atlético de Madrid's Fernando Lopez.

“The Atlético Ottawa experience will be a testament to this city, the community and the wonderful supporters and fans the city of Ottawa has,” strategic partner Jeff Hunt said.

The team's crest includes a shield, the Peace Tower, maple leaf and red and white stripes – all symbols and structures that are considered “emblematic” to Canada, a press release states.