Portmore’s Shaw moving to Canada

Jamaican international Tevin Shaw has become the latest local talent to land an opportunity to play football in Canada.

The 23-year-old has joined Atletico Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) from defending Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) champions Portmore United. The announcement was made on the club's website on Sunday. He becomes the third Jamaican to sign for a CPL club following Alex Marshall and Nicholas Hamilton, who joined HFX Wanderers and York9 FC earlier this year.

Shaw said that he is anticipating the new challenge and was glad to be a part of the team's debut season.

"Becoming a part of the Atletico family is something that I'm very excited about," he said on the club's website. "Becoming a part of the Canadian Premier League and getting an opportunity to play in front of the fans in Ottawa and the rest of Canada is something I am looking forward to."

Chief Executive Officer Fernando Lopez has praised Shaw's technical abilities, which he believes will be an asset to the team in their debut season. "He is a very skilled defensive midfielder that will bring to the team a wide range of possibilities. He is able to 'high pressure' opponents, make smart tackles, recover balls, and move the team sideline to sideline with quality and precise crossings," he said on the club's website.

Atletico Ottawa is the league's newest franchise. The club was launched in January and is owned by Spanish club Atletico Madrid. The league's second season was expected to begin on April 11 but has since been pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, preseason training was suspended for all clubs due to the outbreak.

Shaw, a former Tivoli Gardens player, made 21 appearances for Portmore United this season and featured in the club's brief campaign in the Concacaf Champions League. He has made six appearances for the Jamaica national team.