Langford, BC – September 1, 2023 – Pacific FC today announced the signing of midfielder Zakaria Bahous through the remainder of the season, with a club option for 2024.
The club also announced the departure of midfielder Pierre Lamothe on loan to Vietnamese Club Ho Chi Minh City FC, effective immediately.
Bahous, 22, most recently represented Atlético Ottawa in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). The native of Longueuil, Que. made 38 appearances for his former club between 2022 and 2023, scoring three goals and playing a key role in both Ottawa’s 2022 regular season win and Atleti’s run to that year’s CPL Final. He was named to the CPL’s Next Gen Class of 2022, presented by Jones DesLauriers and Navacord, last December.
“Zak has come in very hungry to help the group and integrate as quickly as possible,” said James Merriman, Head Coach, Pacific FC. “He is a consistent and versatile young player who has developed in this league and we believe he has the potential for more.”
The addition of Bahous to Pacific’s midfield comes at a crucial time in the club’s season. The Tridents sit in second place in the CPL table, just four points off the top, as they vie for one of five playoff spots in what has become a tight race to the postseason. Friday marks the last day for CPL clubs to make additions to their rosters this season.
A native of Longueuil, Quebec, Bahous represented FC Brossard, FC St-Léonard and CS Longueuil during his youth career. He captained the men’s soccer team at Champlain College Saint-Lambert for four years and led the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) with ten goals in nine matches in 2021. Bahous, who is of Algerian descent, was awarded Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year and named an RSEQ D1 All-Star that season.
Canadian-born Lamothe, who is of Vietnamese descent, begins his loan stint with Ho Chi Minh City FC today, with the deal running through March 10, 2024. The attacking midfielder signed with Pacific in late 2022 and represented the club seven times this season.
Pacific FC hosts seventh place Valour FC tomorrow at Starlight Stadium at 1 p.m. PT.