The Ottawa REDBLACKS have signed veteran and Grey Cup champion quarterback Matt Nichols, the club announced Sunday.

The California-born pivot has played 144 regular-season games over eight CFL campaigns and is most recently coming off a championship season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Eastern Washington University product, who signed with the Toronto Argonauts ahead of the canceled 2020 season, spent the five previous years with the Bombers. He began his CFL career with the Edmonton Football Club, where he spent two-and-a-half seasons. Nichols was released by the Argos on Sunday.

“We’re excited to welcome Matt Nichols to the REDBLACKS,” said Ottawa REDBLACKS General Manager Marcel Desjardins. “Matt is a competitor, a leader and a proven winner in the CFL. He will be an excellent fit for what Coach LaPolice and his staff are implementing in Ottawa.”

Though injury shortened his 2019 campaign, Nichols finished the Grey Cup-winning year with 171 completions for 1,936 yards and 15 touchdowns in nine games. For his career, Nichols has 1,582 completions on 2,373 passes for 18,363 yard and 108 touchdowns.

The move reunites Nichols with REDBLACKS Head Coach and former Bombers Offensive Coordinator Paul LaPolice.

“We are excited to bring Matt who has started and won a lot of games in our league,” said LaPolice.”His experience and leadership will be crucial to our success.”

The REDBLACKS also announced that the club has released American quarterback Nick Arbuckle.

American quarterback Matt Nichols
HEIGHT: 6-2 | WEIGHT: 215 lbs | BIRTHDAY: 1987-03-19
HOMETOWN: Redding, CA | SCHOOL: Eastern Washington