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Fri, Mar

‘Legend’ Andre Toussaint returns to W Connection
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Andre Toussaint has returned to W Connection and the former Trinidad and Tobago international is part of a cache of talented signings by head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier for the 2015/2016 TT Pro League season.

The 34-year-old crafty attacking midfielder, with an impeccable first touch, had represented his home town club Point Fortin Civic in the last two seasons following stints at the now defunct T&TEC FC and Morvant Caledonia United but opted to return to his ex-employers this season.

Toussaint, who has won Pro League championship medals with W Connection and Joe Public, represented the “Savonetta Boys” between 2004 and 2009, only interrupted by a brief stint at United Soccer Leagues (USL) side Charleston Battery in 2007.

“We (W Connection) think he (Toussaint) has unfinished business at our club,” expressed W Connection assistant coach Earl "Ball Hog" Jean.

Jean, a former teammate of Toussaint at Connection, added, “He is a legend at the club. He has a lot of quality and the right temperament on the field. We believe it is great having him back. We want an experienced player such as Toussaint for our younger players to feed off. Our current players are happy they now have someone who can change the game; a player to give them the edge. That’s a lot of confidence.”

Connection have also acquired the services of Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 duo Dwight Quintero, 21, and Kevon Goddard, 19, who joined the “Savonetta Boys” from Couva rivals Central FC.

Commenting on the acquisition of forward Quintero, Jean, a former St. Lucia and Connection striker, said, “We have always liked Quintero. I think he has a bright future once he listens and accepts what we have to teach him at Connection. He still has to grow in confidence but he is a player that can do well for Trinidad (and Tobago) in the near future.”

Other new Connection signings include 19-year-olds Jamal Charles, a Grenada international forward, and Briel Thomas, a midfielder out of Dominica; along with 20-year-olds Jhonathan Gherherdt, a Brazilian forward, and Trinidadian midfielder Kion Joseph, who made the move from North East Stars. While 16-year-old midfielder Keston Julien has been promoted from the Connection youth system.

Fevrier’s squad, inclusive of the newcomers, stands a very youthful outfit, six of which are 18-year-olds and 22 from 27 players within the 23-and-under age group. The longstanding W Connection coach is also evaluating a couple more teenagers who are on trial with the Couva based club.

“The players all have a great opportunity here at Connection,” continued Jean, who in his 19 years of playing professional football, had represented clubs in Portugal, England, Scotland, China and T&T. “Once they can take in what is taught here [at Connection], they can move on to much bigger lives in football. I have played all over and worked under many coaches and I can say that Stuart is the best tactical coach that I have ever played and worked under. He is of international quality.”

The new "Savonetta Boys” signings joined the likes of goalkeepers Julani Archibald, a 21-year-old St. Kitts/Nevis international, Terrence Lewis, 23, and goalkeeper coach/player Aquelius Sylvester, 33; defenders Kurt Frederick, a 24-year-old St. Lucia international, Gerard Williams, a 27-year-old St. Kitts/Nevis international, Maurice Ford, 19, Alvin Jones, 21, Shannon Gomez, 18, Christian Viveros, a 25-year-old Colombian, and Triston Hodge, 20; midfielders Jomal Williams, 21, Aikim Andrews, 19, Stiven Lopez Concha, a 23-year-old Colombia midfielder, Jabari Mitchell, 18, Neil Benjamin Jr., 21, and Anfernee Frederick, a 19-year-old Dominica international; and forwards Dimitrie Apai, a 21-year-old Suriname international, Shahdon Winchester, 23, and Shirvone St Prix, a 20-year-old St. Lucia international.