Shavar signs with Impact in Major League Soccer
MONTREAL, Canada (CMC) — Reggae Boy Shavar Thomas signed a new deal with the Montreal Impact in the United States Major League Soccer.
Details of the deal were not disclosed, but Thomas will not count as an international player on the 2012 Impact roster, since he holds an American Green Card.
The 30-year-old Jamaican defender has spent the last nine seasons in the MLS, where he has played 170 career games, including 158 as a starter, recording three goals and one assist.
“As captain of the Jamaican national team and a nine-year MLS veteran, we feel that Shavar will add great experience and quality to our team,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch.
During his career, Thomas was twice a member of Kansas City, playing a total of 76 games with the club between 2004 and 2006 and 19 games from 2010 to 2011.
He most notably helped the team win the 2004 United States Open Cup. He also played with the LA Galaxy, Chivas USA and Philadelphia Union.
He was selected by the Dallas Burn in the first round (10th overall) in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft.
On the international scene, Thomas played 43 games since 1999 for Jamaica, winning back-to-back Caribbean Championships in 2008 and as captain in 2010.
He also played in the 2004 Olympics qualifying campaign and in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009 and 2011.
Thomas will join the Impact in Guadalajara, Mexico, as the club continues its training camp for its Major League Soccer debut.
