The Houston Dynamo have acquired midfielder Lovel Palmer from Jamaican club Harbour View, it was announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the transaction and of Palmer's contract were not disclosed. Upon receipt of his international transfer certificate and approval of a P-1 visa, Palmer will occupy an international roster slot.
Palmer, 25, comes to Houston from Jamaican power Harbour View, where he captained the team into a tie for first place with three games remaining in the 2009-10 season. Palmer has played with Harbour View since he was a teenager, including the National Premier League championship team of 2007, CONCACAF Champions' Cup series against D.C. United in 2005 and 2008, and the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round against Pumas. He has been the club's captain since August 2005, when he was just 21 years old.
For Jamaica, Palmer has made 12 career appearances since 2005, most recently appearing and setting up his country's only goal in a 2-1 road loss to world power Argentina on February 10.
He has already spent two separate one-week trial periods with the Dynamo, first in Orlando at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic Feb. 22-27, where he scored a long-range goal against rival FC Dallas. Palmer re-joined the Dynamo for preseason games March 7 against the Austin Aztex and March 11 against the Chicago Fire. He is expected to join the Dynamo prior to their March 27 MLS opener against FC Dallas.
The Dynamo's home opener at Robertson Stadium is scheduled for April 1 against defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake. Tickets for Dynamo games and the 2010 MLS All-Star Game at Houston's Reliant Stadium are available via Dynamo season ticket packages and mini plans at HoustonDynamo.com or by calling (713) 276-7500.
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first four seasons and represented the United States in four consecutive regional championships. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
LOVEL PALMER
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'10" Weight: 160 lbs.
Date of Birth: August 30, 1984
Birthplace: Mandeville, Jamaica
Hometown: Mandeville, Jamaica
Citizenship: Jamaica
Last Club: Harbour View (Jamaica)
How Acquired: Transferred from Harbour View on March 19, 2010
Status: Senior Internationa
