Revs Add Jamaican Defender Woodbine
- Updated: August 29, 2013
The Revolution bolstered their defensive depth by signing Jamaican International O’Brian Woodbine on Thursday.
Woodbine, who started at left back for Jamaica in its previous three World Cup Qualifiers, signed with the Revolution via free transfer, and is expected to join the team on Tuesday.
“O’Brian has both professional and international experience and we’re expecting him to come in, help push our team and provide depth the last few months of the season,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said in a statement.
The 25-year-old defender, who can play on either side of field, was most recently with Reno of the Jamaica National Premier League, the same team he started his career with in 2005. Prior to that, he spent two seasons with Vaasan Palloseura (VPS) of the Finnish Premier Division. That stint also included a three-month loan to HJK Helsinki, a perennial powerhouse in Finland.
During his first stint with Reno, he was loaned out to the Charleston Battery of the USL-2 from 2009-10. He trialed with D.C. United earlier this summer.
At the national team level, Woodbine has been capped 14 times.
The addition of Woodbine gives the Revolution 10 natural defenders, a number which suggests that the club learned its lesson from last year’s late-season defensive depth crisis. With injuries ravaging the backline down the stretch, the club was forced to employ rarely-used rookie Alec Purdie and midfielder Ryan Guy at fullback last autumn.
Woodbine is regarded as one of the best free kick specialists in the Jamaica National Premier League, and his talents could also bolster the Revolution’s efforts in that department.
With Woodbine on board, the Revolution have reached its 30-player roster maximum. He will wear number 17.
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