Free agency period has opened in the AFPL, and Uxbridge Town AFC has added a number of players to their team. The new players are:
- Wynward Garnis, GK, ENG, 18 y/o
- Kobe Otsuka, F, USA, 18 y/o
- Tab Leigh, M, ENG, 26 y/o
- Gaetano Gatti, D, ITA, 23 y/o
- Stephen Mill, D, ENG, 18 y/o
The starting goalkeeper for the English National U18 team last season, Wynward Garnis was also a member of Stratford United's academy before the club folded last year. While Garnis, who signed a 5 year contract, will be tested at a very young age as the starting goalkeeper for a top level side, most analysts see him as a big name prospect and a future star in this league.
American forward Kobe Otsuka signs with Uxbridge Town for the next 5 years, choosing to forgo his scholarship to Clemson University. Otsuka was a star striker with the American U18 team last year, showing a keen understanding of attacking football beyond his years.
Tab Leigh returns to the AFPL after spending the last two seasons playing for Spanish powerhouse La Daga Club de Fútbol. The 6'1 English midfielder previously had 21 goals in 152 games over 5 AFPL seasons, most recently with Dulwich AFC. Leigh agreed to a 3 year contract with Uxbridge Town.
Gaetano Gatti will remain in England, signing a 5 year deal with Uxbridge Town after spending the last 5 seasons with Stratford United. The Italian left back has experience under manager MacCallum Barry, spending the first 3 seasons of his career in Stratford with Barry at the helm.
English defender Stephen Mill spent last season as a part of the Blackley Town Academy, but the club was unwilling to pay his reportedly high contract demands. Instead, Mill signed a 5 year contract with Uxbridge with an annual salary expected to be in the £500,000 range. He was a standout as a centre back with the English national U18 team last season, and many pundits say that Stephen Mill will be a future star at the position.
Manager MacCallum Barry spoke about his recent acquisitions at a post-training press availability. "I am happy with the new boys that we have brought in" said Barry. "It's a fair mix of youth and experience, and I feel confident that they are going to be able to fit in well with the group that we already have here. I sincerely hope that all five of our new players are able to be top quality starters here for years to come."
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