The Ottawa Redblacks picked up national free agent Dariusz Bladek for the 2024 season, the club announced on Wednesday.
“Dariusz is a proven contributor in our league, as a Canadian offensive lineman,” said Shawn Burke, Redblacks general manager.
The six-foot-four, 29-year-old offensive lineman from Clifton, New Jersey missed the start of the 2023 season because of an ankle injury. Bladek remained a healthy scratch to finish the year with a 16–2 record before being released as a free agent on Jan. 19.
Bladek also helped the Toronto Argonauts to victory in the 109th Grey Cup.
“I’m excited to be playing in the nation’s capital,” Bladek said. “I can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates, and meet the great fans of Ottawa.”
He has been signed to a one-year deal.
Bladek was drafted in the second round, 11th overall, by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017. He was with the team until 2020, when he joined the Argos, and appeared in 72 career regular season games.
The Redblacks will kick off the 2024 season against the Blue Bombers on June 13.