ATLANTA, GA – The Atlanta Silverbacks have announced today the acquisition of former Trinidad & Tobago national team defender Brent Sancho, pending USSF and international clearance. The Silverbacks have also completed a trade bringing Minnesota Thunder forward Aaron Paye to Atlanta.
Sancho played eight years for the Trinidad & Tobago national team from 1999-2006, including the 2006 World Cup where he faced the likes of England, Sweden, and Paraguay. Sancho also helped lead St. John’s University to its sole national title back in 1996. No stranger to the USL, Sancho played for both the Portland Timbers and the Charleston Battery from 2000-2002.
“I am excited to be back in the USL, and am just taking it one day at a time,” noted Sancho earlier today. “While Portland is like a second home to me, I am thrilled to be playing for Atlanta and their fans.”
The 31 year-old defender has been brought on to bring stability to the Atlanta defense. While the team has scored a league-high 31 goals, the Silverbacks have also let in a league-high 33 goals. The addition of the 6’2, 200 lb. Sancho to the defense will help bring an imposing presence to the team’s defense.
“I know what coach [Jason Smith] expects of me,” said Sancho. “I feel quite comfortable filling that role for this team, and I am ready to hit the ground running.”
The Silverbacks have also announced that forward Nathan Knox has been traded to the Minnesota Thunder for striker Aaron Paye.
Knox played in eight games for the Silverbacks in 2008, scoring one goal. The forward from New Zealand will return to his former club; Knox played for the Thunder in 2006 before joining the Seattle Sounders in 2007.
Meanwhile, Paye, a Minnesota native, has been with the Thunder for the past four seasons. The 27 year-old forward has played in 15 games for the Thunder this season, tallying one goal. A key sub for the team in 2005, Paye scored seven goals and recorded two assists for the Thunder off the bench.
