Toronto FC II announced Monday that the club has signed forward Aikim Andrews to a USL contract and have acquired W Connection F.C. defender Jelani Peters on loan. Both players will be added to the roster upon receipt of their work permits and visas.
“Both players have been scouted for some time now and have also been on trial with TFC and TFC II during training camp,” said Toronto FC II Head Coach Jason Bent. “With the additions of Aikim and Jelani they will add greater depth and competition for places in the squad.”
Andrews, 20, was invited to participate in preseason training with both Toronto FC and Toronto FC II in early 2017. He previously spent the past two seasons at W Connection F.C. of the TT Pro League and made a combined 31 appearances across league play and the CONCACAF Champions League. Andrews has earned four caps, registering one goal for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He made his debut with Trinidad and Tobago on October 13, 2015 during a 0-0 draw in a friendly match against Nicaragua. Andrews registered his first international goal on December 30, 2016 in a friendly match against Nicaragua that Trinidad and Tobago won 3-1.
Peters, 23, most recently spent time with W Connection F.C. He has made a combined 22 appearances across league play and the CONCACAF Champions League.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC II has signed forward Aikim Andrews to a USL contract and have acquired W Connection F.C. defender Jelani Peters on loan
AIKIM ANDREWS
Position: Forward
Height: 5’7
Weight: 150
Birthdate: June 20, 1996
Birthplace: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Nationality: Trinidad and Tobago
Last Club: W Connection F.C.
Pronunciation: “EYE-KUM AN-DREWS”
JELANI PETERS
Position: Defender
Height: 6’4
Weight: 190
Birthdate: December 27, 1993
Birthplace: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Nationality: Trinidad and Tobago
Last Club: W Connection F.C.
Pronunciation: “GEL-ON-EE PEE-TERS”
RELATED NEWS
Toronto FC signs W Connection duo Aikim Andrews and Jelani Peters.
W Connection Press Release.
When the 2017/18 TT Pro League season kicks off, W Connection FC will be without the services of 20 year old forward Aikim Andrews and 23 year old stopper Jelani Peters, following their acquisition by Toronto FC.
Andrews, who spent both the 2016 and 2017 pre seasons with TFC’s MLS squad was permanently transferred, while Peters was signed on a one season loan deal following his pre-season training with the Toronto FC II team.
This marks the first move of their international careers for both players. They will feature on Toronto's USL roster for the 2017 season which kicked off two Saturdays ago on the road against Phoenix Rising FC in Arizona. Trinidadian Ricardo John also forms part of the TFC II squad.
On his transfer, Aikim Andrews commented "I am very happy. As a young player growing up playing abroad professionally was always one of my dreams so I take this as a stepping stone in my career. At Toronto FC, the environment is very professional. There is everything needed to prepare and develop players to be at the top levels at all times. I want to thank WConnection FC for helping me to become a better professional."
Jelani Peters expressed feelings of gratitude on his move, saying "It's always a great feeling to accomplish one of your goals. I aways wanted to play abroad, and I told myself once I get the opportunity I'll make the best out of it. And I did. Thank God! I want to do my best with the USL team this season, and hoping in the near future I play for the MLS team. And I'm thankful for the knowledge I got from Coach Stuart."
W Connection FC wish both players the best of luck for their upcoming season and in their international careers.