Former Kazakhstan-based Trinidad and Tobago defender Robert Primus has joined his hometown club Morvant Caledonia United in a continued effort to work back to full fitness and a possible return to Europe.
“It was a big step in my career and I enjoyed every moment of it. The level of professionalism, and the level of play competing in the (UEFA) Champions League and Europa qualifiers were great experiences.”
The ex-T&T FIFA Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup player has signed with Caledonia on a short-term agreement till the end of the season, and is one of two defensive signings made by the club along with 24-year-old Ghanaian, Mensah Maestro, in the mid-season transfer window (Jan. 29-Feb. 26).
It will be the second comeback attempt by Primus since suffering cruciate ligament injury in 2013.
Primus picked up the right knee injured in September 2013 while representing FC Aktobe in the Kazakhstan Premier League and later underwent surgery in the United States for torn cruciate ligament.
Nine months after the injury, in his first game back for the Atkobe, Primus re-injured his knee, which led to a second surgery, this time in Germany, in December 2014.
Now, 19 months since his June 2014 comeback attempt, Primus is ready to give it another shot.
“I’m feeling much better now,” said the former San Juan Jabloteh player.
“I wanted to return to [competitive] play since last September but my physiotherapist, Jason Pilgrim, advised me to be patient and continue with training and therapy for a few more months.
“It’s been really hard for me being away from the game so long. Now the main thing is to start back, although it’s going to be a slow process… not rushing into full games.”
At present, Caledonia, with just five wins from 17 league games, holds the worst defensive record on the 10-team Digicel Pro League table, tied on 38 goals scored against with Point Fortin Civic.
The 2012 Caribbean Club Champions are now hoping to rid some of their defensive problems in an attempt to surface out of the rubble in eight place on the Digicel Pro League standings, while the opportunity is present for Primus to work himself back into the quality and fitness that earned him a three-year move to FK Atkobe in 2011.
“There are a couple other clubs in Kazakhstan that are interested in me,” said Primus who plans to return to the Kazakhstan in mid-year.
“The ambition is to return to Kazakhstan,” Primus reiterated. “That’s the focus. I look at my injuries as learning experiences… allowing me to understand as a professional the importance of proper training and preparing the body as best as possible.”
Caledonia will face third-placed Defence Force on Sunday from 3:30 pm at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium.