Mike Randolph is excited for a fresh start.

The new Ottawa FC defender, who signed here this off-season after having played for the Atlanta Silverbacks since 2012, is determined to make up for lost time.

The California-born Randolph was hobbled last year by an ankle injury that kept him out for much of the fall season. But the starting left back spot in Ottawa appears to be his to lose and the 29-year-old is encouraged by what he’s seen so far during camp. Fury is his third NASL stop after Atlanta and Miami/Fort Lauderdale in a career including a three-year stint in the MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy, a team that included soccer royalty David Beckham and Landon Donovan.

The early portion of camp was more fitness-oriented for the players but ball touches and game situations have gradually increased, with the team using the full length of the pitch for the first time Tuesday at training in Gatineau.

“(Fury) has a kind of European style of playing,” Randolph said. “It’s very technical, very good at getting out of difficult situations. It makes possession fun, it makes practice a lot of fun, so I’m having a great time.

“I’m still trying to get my touch back and work on my fitness a bit, but it’s coming.”

Having captained the Silverbacks last season, Randolph is looking forward to being a piece of the leadership puzzle.

“I got a lot of great qualities out of (being captain) last year, learning to speak up and having a voice,” Randolph said. “That’s definitely going to be helpful here. You don’t want to have to have the same guy yelling at everybody by himself. It helps when other people are chiming in (and) we’re all on the same page.

“But I like not having to talk all the time, let somebody else take over.”

Fury will once again be led by captain Richie Ryan, a guy who, like Randolph, likes to lead by example.

“When you see him get (go in) for a tackle and put everything on the line, it makes you want to do the same, it’s contagious,” Randolph said.

Jarun still M.I.A.

Fury FC defender Omar Jarun remains absent from training camp but the club isn’t saying much about why.

While the 30-year-old centre back signed a two-year deal with the club before last season, he has yet to take part in any of camp.

“Omar’s resting,” said coach Marc Dos Santos on Tuesday before adding Jarun “needs to be with his family.”

He remains on the roster, Dos Santos confirmed.

“Omar is a player of the Ottawa Fury today.”

The 6-foot-5, Kuwait-born Jarun played nearly 1,100 minutes with Fury last season, featuring in 16 matches.

Inaugural game

Fury FC will get its first taste of game action this year when the club travels to Toronto to take on TFC II on Friday.

Dos Santos said the club will travel with 23 players, including all three goalkeepers, and everyone will play. The coach has been happy with the early stages of training camp.

“We’re 10 times more advanced than where we were last year at this time,” he said, adding the first road trip is also significant with so many new faces on the squad. “To get out, to be together at a hotel and on a bus together, it’s going to be good, mentally, for the guys.”

Twitter: @chrishofley