CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA acquired forward Atiba Harris, a 22-year-old Saint Kits and Nevis international and two-year veteran of Major League Soccer, in a trade with Real Salt Lake. In exchange, Chivas USA sends its third-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft to RSL for Harris, who will occupy one of Chivas USA's International slots.
"Atiba is an exciting young player who possesses speed and an ability to hold the ball and combine with other players, while also posing a real threat in the air," said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. "We hope that he will give a different look to Chivas USA's attack, while adding considerable depth to our forward line, as we prepare for the 2008 season."
Born January 9, 1985 in St. Peters, St. Kitts, Harris is a two-year veteran of MLS, having signed with Real Salt Lake as a Youth International prior to the 2006 season. In two seasons with RSL, Harris appeared in 43 regular-season matches (starting 25), logging 2,405 minutes and registering 4 goals and 2 assists.
The first player from St. Kitts to sign with a European club, Harris joined the youth system of English giant Newcastle as a 17-year-old in 2002. In 2003 he moved to Cádiz, then of the Spanish First Division, who loaned him out to Second Division side CD Linares for a portion of the 2003-04 campaign. Prior to signing with Real Salt Lake in 2006, Harris played portions of the 2004 and 2005 seasons for Elco St. Peters in his native St. Kitts.
Internationally, Harris made his debut with the senior national team of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2000, at age 15, and has since accumulated 22 appearances for the Caribbean nation, scoring 7 goals. He has also represented his country at the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. On Saturday at the World Cup Qualifying Draw in South Africa, FIFA announced that St. Kitts and Nevis will face Belize this spring in opening round CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, with the winner of the home-and-home series advancing to face Mexico in Round Two.
TRANSACTION: Chivas USA acquires FW Atiba Harris in a trade with Real Salt Lake. In exchange, Chivas USA sends its third-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft to RSL.
ATIBA HARRIS
Nombre/Name: Atiba Harris
Número/Number:
Posición/Position: Delantero/Forward
Fecha de nacimiento/Date of birth: 1985-01-09, St. Peters, St. Kitts
Residencia/Hometown: St. Peters, St. Kitts
Nacionalidad/Citizenship: St. Kitts and Nevis
Peso/Weight: 84 kg / 185 lbs
Estatura/Height: 1.91 m / 6'3"
Último equipo/Last team: Real Salt Lake
Adquisición/Acquired: Trade with Real Salt Lake, Dic. 19, 2007, in exchange for Chivas USA's third-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
