Former WC Talon signs with Atlético Ottawa

OTTAWA – Atlético Ottawa’s newest addition Kris Twardek got his start playing soccer in West Carleton before travelling the world thanks to his football skill.

Yesterday (Jan. 30), the Canadian Premier League’s (CPL) Atlético Ottawa announced the signing of the 26-year-old forward to a two-year contract with an option for 2026.

Twardek returns to Canada for what will be his first stint in North American football throughout his career. 

With Irish, English, Polish and Slovakian football on his résumé, Twardek most recently played with 11-time Irish champions Bohemian FC. Twardek also has one appearance for the Canadian men’s national team, a match against El Salvador in 2017. 

Twardek was born in Toronto but moved to West Carleton at a very young age.

“I definitely consider myself Ottawa local,” Twardek said in an interview with the CPL. “I moved when I was three years old back into the outskirts of Ottawa. I spent my whole youth soccer coming through the ranks of the small areas like West Carleton and then into Ottawa South United in the City of Ottawa.”

With over 100 career appearances in Ireland’s first division, at 26 years old, Twardek felt like the choice to move his career to Canada’s capital was the clear next step. 

“I was in Ireland for a number of years, been in Europe for just over 10 years now, and I recently got engaged,” Twardek said. “Just in terms of life, it made sense. Ottawa was just such a clear choice.”

Twardek says he is thrilled to be able to play in front of the home crowd.

“The best times for me were whenever I would have games abroad and my mum or dad or brother would be over and could watch a game,” he said. “So, the prospect of that being every second week or every home game, it’s amazing really.”

Twardek, who prefers to play as a winger on the right side, say he will bring a lot of energy to Atlético Ottawa.

“In terms of style of play, I’d say I’m just a very direct attacking player,” he said. “Energetic athletic style, kind of up and down the flank winger. And that’s kind of ultimately been my style of play.”