Brett signs for New Mexico United
Published:Saturday | January 1, 2022 | 12:07 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Former Harbour View and Portmore United striker Neco Brett will have a new home in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship next season, as the newest member of New Mexico United.
The club announced the signing of the 29-year-old yesterday after two years with the Birmingham Legion which featured national striker Junior Flemmings. Brett’s exit from the club also follows Flemmings’ as he indicated in November that he would not return to Birmingham for the 2022 season.
Brett was out of contract with the club after the 2021 season but negotiations were previously ongoing earlier last month for a possible return.
Brett is coming off a 2021 season where he finished with 18 league goals, a career-high for a season, which saw him finish fifth in the golden boot race. Additionally, he increased his lifetime regular-season tally in the league to 62, seventh-most all-time in the USL championship. He helped the Legion qualify for the USL Championship play-offs and was named to the USL Championship All-League team.
It is an acquisition that has New Mexico head coach and technical director Zach Prince excited about the offensive upgrade that Brett’s signing will have on the team as they look to improve on their fifth-place finish in the Mountain Division, missing out on a place in the play-offs.
PROVEN GOALSCORER
“Neco is a proven goalscorer in the league with the added ability to bring others into the game with clever decisions around the goal. This ability makes our attack unpredictable and difficult for the opponent to defend,” Prince told the club website.
In an Instagram post on December 22, he indicated his departure from the Legion, thanking the club and its fans for the support during his time in Birmingham.
“I just want to take the time out to say a big thank you to the Birmingham Legion family. It’s been two wonderful years representing you guys and sharing great memories. Thank you to the ownership group, coaching staff, medical staff, the fans and my brothers/teammates for everything,” Brett said. “Love the magic city forever.”
The 2022 USL Championship season is scheduled to begin in March.