OTTAWA — Star attacking midfielder Ollie Bassett, the 2022 Canadian Premier League Player of the Year, will leave Atletico Ottawa when his contract expires at the end of the year.

Bassett, 28, who was born in England but represented Northern Ireland at youth level, has spent the last three seasons with Ottawa after winning the title with Pacific FC in 2021 in his first year in the league.

“This league has given me everything I could have asked for and more,” Bassett said in a social media video. “I came to this country from the eighth tier of English football with the aim of returning to the professional game and playing at the highest level possible. Despite many ups and downs, I felt quite lucky to have everything won, individually and collectively.”

“It’s a good time to move on and experience something new. But I will never forget the platform this league has provided me,” he added.

Bassett holds Ottawa franchise records for career goals (26), assists (12) and appearances (92).

In 2022, Bassett also won the Player of the Year award, which is voted on by the players. He tied Cavalry FC’s Myer Bevan for the CPL Golden Boot in 2023 when the pair scored 11 goals.

“It’s always difficult to say goodbye to a player who made an impact on a club and a city like Ollie did,” Ottawa coach Carlos Gonzalez said in a statement. “Ollie will always be part of Atleti history.”

Bassett has scored 28 goals and added 15 assists in 112 career CPL appearances. With 24 regular season goals, he ranks sixth on the league’s all-time scoring list and is tied for sixth in assists.

Bassett attended the academies of Aston Villa and Southampton before embarking on a career that took him to a series of lower-tier clubs in England. He played in New Zealand and Australia before returning to England to join Nuneaton Borough FC.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press