Jones signs with Southampton

YOUTHFUL Trinidad and Tobago defender Kenwyne Jones has signed a pre-contract with English Premier League team Southampton. But he will not join the club until July, when the transfer market reopens, subject his being granted a work permit. News of Jones’ signing was relayed by his representative Louis Affor late yesterday. The former national under-20 captain last night passed a medical and signed the pre-contract agreement for a reported two years. Following his successful one-week trial the19-year-old Jones, son of ex-Defence Force striker Pamphille Jones, was expected to return home last night. Prior to his trial and signing, Jones was a member of  Vibe CT 105 W Connection, and had been linked with Scottish Premier League club Rangers, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Panathanaikos but Southampton won the race to sign the former St Anthony’s College player.

Affor said: “It’s a big move for Kenwyne because he has signed for a Premiership team and he also had the chance to sign for other big clubs. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for him and we hope all goes well from here. Affor also represents Silvio Spann who signed with Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb last week. He said, “the door is opening more and more for footballers from Trinidad and Tobago and Kenwyne is certainly going to attract attention, as he follows in the footsteps of other Trinidad and Tobago players playing in Europe.” Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe was delighted to have snapped up Jones saying “he is a tremendous athlete and the coaching staff believe they can turn him into a very good footballer. “He has done well on trial so we have got him signed up quickly because a lot of other clubs wanted him.” Southampton and Jones are confident they will secure a work permit because of new regulations regarding the Commonwealth countries. Jones will becomne the third Trinidadian playing in the Premiership after Dwight Yorke, Stern John  and Shaka Hislop.