Former French based striker Kevaughn Connell has signed with defending League champions San Juan Jabloteh until the end of 2009.
Connell who is no stranger to the domestic game having played for Joe Public and San Juan Jabloteh before leaving for France in 2005 recently dropped an opportunity to travel to China for trial with Super League club Changsha Ginde last week opting to join Jabloteh.
Connell preferred to ply his trade at home, hoping to be more noticed by the Trinidad and Tobago technical staff as he hopes to secure a place in the T&T squad.
He has five caps with the red, white and blacks with his last coming against Panama in a 1-0 friendly win earlier this year. He was also part of the T&T training camp in Argentina in preparations for the country’s CONCACAF final round World Cup qualifiers, however wasn’t selected by head coach for their all important clashes against Costa Rica(June 6) and Mexico on Wednesday.
“I am really disappointed not to be with the guys for these matches. It is one of my main goals as a player to represent my country at National level and at the World Cup. But I’m not going to give up on that dream. I’m just going to continue working hard at my game.”
Commenting on his decision to join Jabloteh, Connell said, “I’ve played for them before and I really find Jabloteh to be a very professional club.
“I’m now hoping that being a part of Jabloteh I can help them achieve their goals for this season,” added the 25 year old former St Augustine student.
Connell who played for AS Cannes in 2006/2007 and Sannois Saint-Gratien 2007/2008 in France explained that while abroad the game was at a much faster and very physical level.
He believes that with the commercial and public support, football in Trinidad and Tobago can rise to a much higher level.
“We have the talent here and if we can get the support of the fans and better sponsorship, the game level will increase. It’s hard for players to be motivated by little crowd support,” said the former France based player.
Connell will be available for the San Juan Kings on Friday June 12 in the quarterfinals of the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield against St Ann’s Rangers having registered this week.