The Swope Park Rangers have signed forward Akeil Barrett, the club announced on Monday. Barrett most recently played for Piteå IF in the Swedish Division 1, having spent the 2015 season with Jacksonville Armada FC in the North American Soccer League.
“I’m just glad to be a part of the team and I look forward to the opportunity to do the best that I can,” Barrett said. “It’s great to be back in America, playing the way that I’m used to. I’m glad to be here and I want to help the team win games.”
“We’re little bit thin in the wide attacking positions,” head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “Akeil was available – it’s always difficult to get a guy in middle of the season – he’s done well in training and we need depth in that position, so hopefully he’s going to adapt fast and be able to help the team in the stretch.”
Barrett, 24, joined Piteå IF in March and made 17 appearances for the club, scoring twice. Prior to his move to Sweden, Barrett spent 2015 in the NASL with Jacksonville Armada FC, where he had three goals and one assist in 23 games as a rookie. The Kingston, Jamaica native scored his first professional goal on July 31, 2015 in a 3-3 draw with Minnesota United FC.
Barrett was drafted by Orlando City SC in the second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft following an impressive college career with the University of Tulsa, but was waived in preseason.
After spending his freshman year at the University of Akron, where he had two goals in nine appearances, Barrett transferred to the University of Tulsa. Barrett was a three-year letter-winner with the Golden Hurricane, making 54 appearances, adding 20 goals and 14 assists.
VITALS
Akeil Barrett (AH-keel)
Position: Forward
Born: 7/7/92 (24 years old)
Height: 5-7
Weight: 130 lbs.
Last Club: Piteå FC (Sweden)
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Citizenship: Jamaica
Twitter: @AkeilMaestro
Instagram: @akeil_barrett
