The Ottawa Fury FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL) has announced the signing of Canadian International midfielder and Scarborough native Julian De Guzman pending ITC approval.

De Guzman, one of Canada’s most accomplished players with 76 caps for his country, brings over 350 games of professional experience to the second-year NASL club.

“When we first spoke, Julian was determined to come to Ottawa,” said Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “He will definitely be an excellent addition to our squad. Julian will bring quality, experience and depth to our midfield.”

From 2009-2012 De Guzman featured in 77 MLS matches with three of those four seasons spent at Toronto FC where the 5’7 midfielder became the first-ever Canadian designated player in MLS history.

“I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity Ottawa Fury FC has given me,” said De Guzman. “It is a special moment at this point in my career to represent another Canadian team and I look forward to the new challenge.”

The Scarborough native became the first-ever Canadian to play in La Liga where he featured in 97 contests for Deportivo La Coruna from 2005-2009.

Prior to his arrival in Spain, De Guzman spent three seasons in the Bundesliga making 78 appearances with Hannover 96. De Guzman comes to the Nation’s Capital after spending the 2013-14 season with Skoda Xanthi in the Greek Superleague.

De Guzman has donned the captain’s armband on several occasions for Canada and is expected to captain the squad in the upcoming friendlies against Guatemala (March 27) and Puerto Rico (March 30) before joining his Fury FC teammates in Carolina for the duration of training camp.