MOUNT Pleasant Football Academy have made a habit of attracting Jamaica’s top football talent since its promotion to the Jamaica Premier League in 2018.

The reigning Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions have done it again by securing the signatures of coveted attackers Nickalia Fuller and Trayvone Reid.

Jamaica Reggae Boyz winger Fuller and last season’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL) golden boot runner-up Reid are currently in Trinidad and Tobago with Mount Pleasant, who are seeking one of two qualifying spots in next month’s Caribbean Cup through the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield.

Winger Nickalia Fuller arrives for Mount Pleasant training in Trinidad ahead of the CFU Club Shield Photo: MPFA Media

Twenty-one-year-old Fuller leaves his hometown club Tivoli Gardens FC after four seasons, having registered 16 goals and eight assists across the last two campaigns. His performances earned him a place in the Reggae Boyz squad this year under interim Head Coach Rudolph Speid, scoring once in four appearances.

Mount Pleasant attempted to sign Fuller during the January transfer window, but he opted to remain at Tivoli who eventually finished tenth, missing the play-offs.

Mount Pleasant new signing Trayvone Reid MPFA Media

With the signing finally completed, Sporting Director Paul Christie believes Fuller can make a significant impact at the club.

“His resume is there, he’s one of the most exciting young players in the entire JPL,” he told the
Jamaica Observer. “We hope that he can replicate that at Mount Pleasant, donning the Mount Pleasant brand and hopefully that he can light up not only Jamaica but the Caribbean and Concacaf should Mount Pleasant carry the flag as deep into that realm of the season.”

“We’ve seen a glimpse of what he can do. We are seeing it now in the blue so we hope that he continues and grow from strength to strength and continue enhancing the brand for the project so that we can continue to create future leaders and impact positively on lives and livelihood for the people not only in Jamaica but in the Caribbean.”

Reid, another Tivoli product, has also made the journey to the north coast club after having one of the best individual performances in JPL history.

Despite Harbour View’s relegation, the 26-year-old registered an impressive 21 goals and six assists in 37 games, the most goal contributions by a local player in the 21st century.

Christie, however, believes former Kingston College and national youth player Reid will bring more than just goals to the club.

“There are things about this player that a lot of people in Jamaica don’t know. He’s competitive, he’s a leader, he has a football brain and a football mindset and Mount Pleasant and Jamaica and the Caribbean should benefit from that,” he said.

Although Fuller and Reid are widely viewed as the marquee signings, Christie says the acquisition of Reggae Boyz defender Ricardo Thomas is a major boost to the club’s quality.

Mount Pleasant Football Academy Sporting Director Paul Christie

The 28-year-old left back, who has 14 caps for Jamaica, joins from Arnett Gardens where he spent the last two seasons.

“His profile would fit in the Mount Pleasant model and we are just privileged to be able to have him at this time and I would think that he can assist us to raise the level and to help us get to our ultimate goal,” said Christie.

Nothing is guaranteed but I think we are lucky to find this fit for the programme and the project at this time so I think that he’s a good capture. He has settled well and been training well so far.”

Mount Pleasant have also welcomed back young star Kevaughn Wilson who spent last season on loan at Arnett Gardens. Defender Gadaill Irving, striker Chevaughn Walsh and wingers Devonte Campbell and Alex Marshall have all left the club.

New signings Fuller, Reid and Thomas could all make their debuts on Tuesday when Mount Pleasant begin action in the quarterfinals of the CFU Club Shield.

Theodore Whitmore’s men, who arrived in Trinidad on Wednesday, were due to start their campaign in the round of 16 on Sunday but their opponents All Saints United of Antigua and Barbuda withdrew from the tournament,

Mount Pleasant now await the winner of Sunday’s clash between Weymouth Wales of Barbados and SV Britannia of Aruba.

The finalists of the Club Shield will advance to the Caribbean Cup, joining the likes of JPL champions Portmore United and finalists Cavalier FC.