Former England international signed by Lynx
February 18, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
(TORONTO, ON) – Networking in the U.K. by the Toronto Lynx head coach, Duncan Wilde, has yielded the first international signing for the 2004 season, left defender, Lewis Blois. Blois is a 22 year old London native and a former English First Division player with Norwich City Football Club, where he spent 3 years on a scholarship before earning a professional contract in 2001. During his time at Norwich City, Blois also represented England at U16 level competing along side present England players Joe Cole (Chelsea) and Gareth Barry (Aston Villa). Blois says, “I am delighted to be joining the Lynx. Playing abroad is something I have always wanted to do and this is the perfect opportunity. Hopefully this can be a great season for us and I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead”.
Lynx head coach, Duncan Wilde is equally excited about Blois joining the club. “We will be replacing all 5 import positions for the 2004 season. The intention being to attract high-quality proven players that very much want to here in Toronto to compliment our young Canadian players as we continue the rebuilding process,” states Wilde. “Lewis Blois is the first international signing from our network in the UK. He is a young left sided defender, developed by Norwich City FC, currently leading the English First Division and also the former Club of Lynx assistant coach Billy Steele. Lewis reads the game exceptionally well. He is a very mature defender with the ability to also get forward and support in wide positions. His 60 first team appearances for Norwich City have proven his quality and readiness for the A-League.”
Blois, who has competed against such soccer powers as Arsenal, Celtic and Chelsea, has spend the last 18 months playing Non League football in England for Kings Lynx FC and Diss Town FC.
SCOTTISH MIDFIELDER ADDS OFFENSE!
Former Scottish Premier Division midfielder, Kris O’Neil has also agreed to join the Toronto Lynx for the 2004 season. O’Neil, 23, a left-footed attacking midfield player will add some offense to the 2004 Lynx roster. His three years at “Hearts” (1998-2001) culminated in a UEFA Cup appearance in 2000, where O’Neil scored in a 3-0 preliminary round victory over Icelandic side IBV. O’Neil spent the 2003 season competing with the Des Moines Menace of the PDL where he scored 4 goals and added 2 assists for 10 points in 14 games. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Toronto Lynx,” said O’Neil. “They are a club that has the ambition and desire to be on of North America’s top soccer organizations. Hopefully my performances on the field will help towards Toronto becoming just that. Everyone involved with Toronto this season will be looking to improve on last season’s performance, and I can’t wait to get started in March.”
“We have signed Kris on the principle of bringing some excitement in the wide areas of the team,” stated Wilde. “He is a very creative and skillful player that can play down both the left and right flanks, an out and out winger that also has the ability to play in just behind the strikers. He is an excellent provider for the front line which will be critical in our quest to score more goals”.
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