Leazard and Garrick get career opportunities

TULSA, Oklahoma – Haiti Under-20 international Watz Leazard has signed with FC Tulsa for the new United Soccer League Championship season which gets underway in March.

The 19-year-old forward was a standout at the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship last July, grabbing the attention of Tulsa’s scouts with a goal and two assists.

Leazard, who lives in the port city of Cap Haïtien on Haiti’s north coast, currently plays for his native Real Hope Football Academy in the country’s top flight but will now join the southern United States club pending league approval.

“I’m very happy to join FC Tulsa. It’s a new step in my career and my development,” Leazard said.

“Haiti is complicated because of the political situation, so it was my dream to be able to leave and play in a new championship abroad.

“I want to accomplish a lot and dream of winning a trophy with Tulsa while scoring lots of goals and lots of assists to help the team.”

Leazard’s signing is the fifth addition to Tulsa’s strike force ahead of the new season which runs from March 11 to October 14.

The club, which campaigns in the Eastern Conference, missed out on the playoffs last season after winning only 12 of their 34 games to finish eighth in the standings.

“International tournaments provide an opportunity to see young players breaking through the scene, and Watz is one of those guys,” said FC Tulsa head coach Blair Gavin.

“He’s got incredible size, soft feet for a winger, and has an incredible ability on the ball to break down defenders that isn’t ordinary for other guys.”

At FC Tulsa, Leazard will play alongside Jamaica Under-20 international Christopher Pearson, a midfielder who signed for the outfit last summer.

Meanwhile, Jamaica-born forward Jordon Garrick has joined English League One strugglers Forest Green Rovers (FGR) from second-tier Swansea City for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old was recalled from a loan spell at League One outfit Lincoln City to complete the move to the New Lawn.

Garrick, who scored once in 16 appearances for Lincoln in the first half of the campaign but had seen his first-team playing time limited since November, has agreed an 18-month deal.

Garrick made 50 appearances last campaign in a successful Plymouth Argyle side that finished seventh in League One.

The right-winger will wear the number 11 shirt for Forest Green and becomes the club’s latest January addition following Brandon Cooper’s arrival on loan, also from Championship club Swansea City.

Among his new team-mates is a fellow Jamaican, 33-year-old striker Jamille Matt.

“He’s an attacking player who can play anywhere across the front three,” head coach Ian Burchnall told the Gloucestershire club’s website.

“He adds pace and directness into the team. He came really well recommended from those at Swansea and he’s had a couple of loans already, so we’re pleased to get him in.”

Forest Green, who won League Two last season, are bottom of League One, nine places below Lincoln, but are at home to Birmingham City in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

“I’m very athletic and like to run and hope to bring a lot of energy to the team,” said Garrick, who moved to England from Jamaica as a child with his family.

“It’s amazing to sign for Forest Green. I can’t wait to start training and get ready for the games.

“The way the head coach wanted to get the move done straight away showed how serious he is about me as a player. It made perfect sense for this to be my new home.”

Head of performance and recruitment Stevie Grieve added: “It’s great to welcome Jordon to FGR.

“He will add dynamism, energy and he has the ability to really stretch a game.” (CMC)