PITTSBURGH (December 12, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have signed forward Kenroy Howell to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2018 season, pending USL and USSF approval.
Howell, 23, comes to the club via a transfer agreement between the Hounds and Waterhouse FC of the Jamaican National Premier League.
A native of Manchester, Jamaica, Howell started his professional career with Waterhouse in 2013-14. The forward starred for the club over three seasons, notching 15 goals in total, including a career-high 10 in 2015-16.
His career year caught the attention of C.D. Dragón of the Primera División in El Salvador, as he was sent to the club on loan this past July for the remainder of 2016. At Dragón, Howell, who made 16 appearances in total for the club, most notably netted his first goal in a close 2-1 defeat against the Portland Timbers at the CONCACAF Champions League in August.
Head coach Dave Brandt mentioned Howell’s performance in the Champions League as a strong driving point for the club’s pursuit of signing him.
“Kenroy came across our radar in watching the Champions League. In the two matches we watched of Dragón playing Portland Timbers, he was fantastic – close to a full 90 minutes both home and away against a very good Timbers team,” Brandt said. “He’s a left-footed attacking player that can play as a forward, can play as a winger and we just think has a lot of talent and ability to make a great addition to this club.”
With the addition of Howell, the Hounds are now at 14 players officially signed for the 2017 season. The current roster is as follows:
Ryan Adeleye (Club option exercised in December)
Kay Banjo (Signed to one-year deal on November 23)
Keasel Broome (Signed to one-year deal on November 11)
Shane Campbell (Signed to one-year deal on November 23)
Ritchie Duffie (Signed to one-year deal on November 15)
Danny Earls (Club option exercised in December)
Devaughn Elliott (Signed to one-year deal on December 8)
Corey Hertzog (Club option exercised in December)
Kenroy Howell (Signed to one-year deal on December 12)
Kevin Kerr (Already under contract)
John Manga (Signed to one-year deal on November 15)
Jack Thompson (Club option exercised in December)
Nick Thompson (Club option exercised in December)
Chevaughn Walsh (Already under contract)