Striker Kerry Baptiste is back in the TT Pro League joining League leaders T&TEC FC and is available for selection in Friday’s Toyota Classic Final against W Connection from 8pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
The 30 year old former San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public midfielder-turned-striker last completed a stint with North American Soccer Leagues (NASL) club FC Tampa Bay before returning to Trinidad.
Baptiste, the 2009 TT Pro League/Toyota Player of the Year is remembered by his record 52 goals in the same year campaign for Joe Public, leading the club to an unprecedented five titles in the season.
According to T&TEC FC manager Peter Mohan, Baptiste is signed on a short-term deal which is expected to run till the end of the 2011-12 season (May 2012).
“A lot of players have approached us, but looking at the strengths and weaknesses with the view of campaigning in the CFU, Concacaf qualifiers, we looked at players for certain roles in the team,” said Mohan.
Mohan explained that T&TEC utilized the transfer window by boosting its squad to secure one of two top places in the Digicel Pro League Championship that would compete in the 2012 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship and a chance of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions’ League.
“The club’s management and technical team were looking for specific players to fit roles in the team. Baptiste and goalkeeper Marvin Phillip are two top players that we have brought in while Jayson Joseph and Marcelle Francois are also coming in the window.
Baptiste is signed on a short-term and is open to explore his options because he is desirous of returning abroad,” said the T&TEC FC manager.
Joseph, 22, is a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic squad and a former North East Stars player. He has been training with W Connection in his lead-up to the U-23s selection.
Meantime Francois, 26, has returned home after studying in the US with Monroe College and is a former San Juan Jabloteh defensive midfielder and T&T youth player.