A source close to the Soca Warriors Online revealed that San Juan Jabloteh striker Jerrel Britto left last Saturday for his second trial at English Premiership club Portsmouth FC. His international under 17 teammate Cordell Cato also accompanied Jerrel on his trip to England.
Jerrel is currently with the T&T under 17 team that only recently came back from a tour in Colombia in preprations for the CONCACAF final round of qualification for the 2009 FIFA Under 17 World Championship. T&T will open against hosts Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala from April 21-May 2, 2009. The 2009 FIFA U17 World Finals will be played in Nigeria from October 24-November 17.
Jerrel was also the captain of the T&T national under 15 team in August 2007. Britto spent 2-weeks on trial with Portsmouth in December 2007 and was pleased with how things went during his time on the South Coast and was invited for a second trial after some impressive display by the talented striker. The former Queen's Royal College player will be hoping to tie up some deal this time around along with his teammate- striker Cordell Cato.
So far for 2009, this will be the fourth national youth player that got trials in Europe. W Connection and former Naparima College star Shahdon Winchester returned from a trial stint in Portugal with Portuguese Liga team Sporting Braga back in January. However, no word yet if the talented midfielder was offered any contract deals. And finally, former national under 20 team captain Radanfah Abu Bakr is currently on his second trial with English Championship League club Swansea City. Abu Bakr has been running out with the Swansea Reserve team.