Trinidad and Tobago defender Brent Sancho made a lasting first impression in his first trial game with English club Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday as he appeared for 70 minutes in a 4-2 win over Conference side Lewes.
Sancho arrived at the club on Friday for a trial but met up with the team for the first time on Sunday after being asked by manager Mark McGhee whether he would be interested in taking part in the game which was witnessed by 1200 fans.
McGhee was later left impressed by Sancho’s showing along with other trialist, Argentine striker Frederico Turienzo.
“I was pleased with both of them. We saw what they are both about. I’m not going to discuss to much about it now but the two boys played well I thought. We saw exactly what kind of players they are and now we’ve got to make decisions,” McGhee told the club’s official website.
Sancho, who missed out on appearing in all of Trinidad and Tobago’s three CONCACAF Gold Cup matches due to a reoccurring hamstring strain, said at first he was having second thoughts of playing so early for the club with fear of pulling up again.
“It turned out to be a pretty good game for me,” Sancho told TTFF Media on Sunday evening after being given a standing ovation by the fans on leaving the field.
“When the manager called me and asked me if I would like to play, I thought about it but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity and it turned out going well. I think I have already fallen in love with the club and this week we should be talking about a deal. Hopefully things will go well because it’s been a couple frustrating months for me,” the ex-Dundee defender added.
“I feel good at the moment and I’ll be careful with the hamstring as well.”
Brighton will be campaigning in the English Championship League in the new season and is the former club of striker Bobby Zamora who is eligible of playing for T&T. Meantime, McGhee is also reportedly impressed by T&T goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, particularly in his recent Gold Cup appearances and he has been invited for a trial this week. Shaka Hislop is also said to have made a good recommendation on Jack’s behalf.
Also on trial since Friday has been midfielder Brent Rahim at American MLS side LA Galaxy.
Meantime, the rest of the T&T team, minus the overseas-based players arrived back in the country on American Airlines on Friday, a day later than scheduled due to Tropical Storm Emily. All the team's luggage was also left back in Miami but was picked up at Piarco the following day.