Name: Michael Anthony James Hector

Date of Birth: July 19, 1992

Age: 23

Height: 6’4″

Position: Defender (centre back)

Club: Reading FC (English Championship) on loan from Chelsea FC

International Appearances: 9

Goals: 0

Michael Hector is a mercurial talent for the Reggae Boyz. It is reported that he had expressed a wish to play for Jamaica from a very early age as his father put on a Jamaican shirt on him during the 1998 World Cup. Since making his debut for the Reggae Boyz in the 2015 Copa America, he has shown signs of being one for Jamaica’s future. Hector is a commanding presence in the air with good heading ability, and is a threat from set pieces. In the 2015 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Hector helped Jamaica to keep two clean sheets against El Salvador and Haiti. Jamaica eventually made it to the final of the Gold Cup, playing Mexico in the final, with Hector being a starter. The Reggae Boyz were second in their best-ever finish at the tournament. No other Caribbean country has achieved such a feat.

Domestically, Hector has learnt to develop patience. Upon joining Reading in 2009, he did not get playing time immediately. The former Millwall FC trainee went on loan to 11 clubs to get playing time under his belt and grow in strength for the English leagues. Hector has played in League One, League Two, the Championship, as well as the Scottish Premier League.

The East Ham-born player showed signs of progress, especially in 2011-12 season when he was at Barnet FC on loan. There he won the Young Player of the Season award at that club. In the 2013-14 season, he showed even more improvement in his performances as he helped Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League to third place in the table.

After this loan spell, he grew in reputation. Reading FC, his parent club, took him back and he was given first team opportunities. He played more regularly for Reading, taking part in 49 games last season. During the season, he helped Reading reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Arsenal FC.

That was the first time the club was making it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup since 1927. Such performances led Premier League defending champions Chelsea FC to seek and get his signature in September 2015.

Things are falling into place nicely for Michael Hector, with a move to the Premier League bound for the six-foot, four-inch talented defender. His performances for the Reggae Boyz can only improve with time.