T&T right back Alvin Jones says his signing with Utah-based Major League Soccer (MLS) club Real Salt Lake can benefit T&T football.
The club announced the signing of the T&T defender on the MLS’ website on Monday, noting the 25-year-old will be joining the franchise from his former club, Oklahoma City Energy, who played in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship.
Speaking to Guardian Media on Monday, Jones said the deal is a one-year contract with the option for three further years at the club. A source told the website the deal was a transfer for a fee in the “low five-figures.”
An elated Jones said, “For me personally, that was one of my short-term goals. My aim was to head to the United States and I have finally achieved it now and it’s like a dream come true.”
Jones will join three other T&T players currently plying their trade in the MLS. Joevin Jones, his older brother, is currently at defending MLS champions Seattle Sounders, where he has won two titles, while Kevin Molino and goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh are at Minnesota United.
While there has been friction between some national players who ply their trade abroad with regard to returning for national duty, the former W Connection footballer said his signing will only assist T&T football at the highest level.
“I see it as a plus for my career personally and for my country. The more players you get playing in the top leagues will only be a plus for T&T football,” Jones said.
Pre-season in the MLS kicks off in January but Jones said the club has already sent him a basic fitness programme to ensure he gets in tune for that action.
In reacting to the signing, head coach of Real Salt Lake Freddy Juarez said, “We’re happy to add a player of Alvin’s calibre to help make the team better. He’s good on the ball and has good attributes in the attacking third. He’s athletic. He’s strong. He’s a national team player and we hope that experience can make us a better team overall.”
Jones has 19 caps with the T&T team and won two titles in six seasons with W Connection, while he also featured in the Concacaf Champions League. He is most famous for scoring the goal which gave T&T a 2-1 win over the United States in Concacaf qualifying in 2017 which knocked the USA out of the 2018 World Cup. He admitted yesterday that he had been on Real Salt Lake’s radar for almost three years after his agent approached them.