BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - One of the Federation’s top footballers, Atiba Harris, has been traded from the Vancouver Whitecaps where he played for the past two years to the Colorado Rapids.
Colorado acquired Atiba Harris from Vancouver for an international roster spot. The Whitecaps will be the fifth club for the 27-year-old St. Kitts and Nevis international player.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC traded Atiba Harris to Colorado Rapids for an international roster spot, exercised the contract options on eight players and declined options for John Thorrington and Michael Nanchoff on Monday.
Harris played only 12 games over two seasons with Whitecaps FC, mainly due to injury problems, undergoing three knee operations. But by the time he was back fit late in the 2012 MLS season, he seemed to be out of favor with Rennie, mainly appearing as an unused substitute down the stretch.
“He’s a quality guy, and a good team guy,” club president Bob Lenarduzzi told MLSsoccer.com on Monday when asked about the decision to move Harris.
“Never really caused any problems in spite of the fact it must have been very frustrating for him. I think at this stage, it’s probably a good move for both parties, for him to get a fresh start and for us to acquire an asset that we feel can be beneficial for us,” he added.
Harris, 27, is a seven-year veteran of MLS, having scored 17 goals and added 19 assists in 138 matches (109 starts) with four different clubs, and recently captained St. Kitts and Nevis in the qualifying phase of the 2012 Caribbean Cup.
