Legendary local footballer Leroy De Leon has died.
De Leon, 76, passed away at the San Fernando General Hospital this morning where he was being treated for the effects of two strokes he suffered in late December.
De Leon earned a reputation as a skillful and visionary midfielder who first rose to prominence as part of the St Benedict’s College team from 1964-66 that also included standouts Warren Archibald and Jan Steadman.
De Leon was named as the greatest SSFL player from the first 50 years in 2016. He was also inducted into T&T's Sports Hall of Fame in 2008
In 1967, he signed with the New York Generals of the National Professional Soccer League. In 1968, the NPSL merged with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League.
In 1969, DeLeon moved to the Washington Darts, then in the American Soccer League. He was a 1970 First Team All Star in the NASL.
Following the 1971 season, the Darts moved to Miami, Florida and became the Miami Gatos. DeLeon did not play in the NASL in 1972. In May 1974, Miami (now renamed the Toros) traded DeLeon to the Washington Diplomats for cash and the Diplomats’ 1974 first round draft choice.
In April 1977, the Diplomats traded DeLeon to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Mark Liveric.
He finished his NASL career in 1979 with the Seattle Sounders. In the fall of 1979, DeLeon moved to the Detroit Lightning of the Major Indoor Soccer League. The Lightning traded him to the Phoenix Inferno where he retired after three seasons.
He also played at international level for Trinidad and Tobago, making his national team debut at the age of 16, and is reported to have 17 official caps for T&T at senior level.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association expressed sadness at De Leon’s passing and described him as, “a legendary figure in Trinidad and Tobago football whose legacy will forever be etched in the annals of our nation’s sporting history.”
SOURCE: T&T Express