Four More Join AFC Ranks
Four more players joined Carl Abbott’s ranks last night with Jean Kalenda, Deqwon Ebanks, Javia Roberts and Jack Jepson all linking up with the club ahead of 2015-16.
The four new players are all twenty years of age or younger, and will join goalkeeper Jack Hartopp at AFC. Jack has decided to return to the club for the new season, reversing his original decision to leave.
20-year-old Kalenda is a former Birmingham City and Stourbridge midfielder, who was held in high regard by Lee Clark during his time in charge at St Andrews.
Roberts is also twenty years old, and is described by Abbott as a ‘sublime talent’. A diminutive wide man, he is tricky and possesses blistering pace. Formerly of Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United, he has recently returned from representing Jamaica’s Under 23s side.
Another 20-year-old, Ebanks is a forward who was a young professional at Birmingham alongside Kalenda. Upon his release, he linked up with Tamworth, where he signed a full time contract under then manager, former Hinckley United ‘keeper Dale Belford. He has spent plenty of time on loan at steps four and five.
A local 18-year-old, Jepson scored AFC’s deflected equaliser in Saturday’s friendly against Heather St John’s. He has become something of a goal machine in the Leicester District League, scoring 150 times in the past two seasons between Under 18 and Senior level football for Thurlaston.
Speaking on the new additions, Abbott was delighted to welcome them to the club. He said: ‘Jean looks a class act, and will be influential in protecting our back four and allowing other midfielders a license to get forward.
‘Javia is a sublime talent, and full back’s nightmare and a frightening signing at this level. He’s been capped as a youth international throughout the age groups.
‘Much is expected of Deqwon, and we hope to be the club where he can finally settle down and have a little continuity.
‘Jack’s goalscoring exploits have attracted the attention of many local clubs, including Leicester City, who had him watched last season. We’re delighted that he’s chosen to step up in standard with us, and are excited for the future with him.’
Welcome to the club Jean, Javia, Deqwon and Jack!
