Two-time Football Federation "Youth Player of the Year" and Under-23 captain Leston Paul will take up a four-year scholarship at the University of South Florida (USF). Paul left earlier this month to begin his tenure at the University. He has already started pre-season training with the team and joins fellow Trinidadian Javed Mohammed, formerly of Naparima College.
The 19-year-old Mayaro-born midfielder admitted it was a tough decision to make after USF expressed interest in him even prior to his appearance at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt last October. "I had to think hard about my decision because it was either I could further my education and play football or just go full time professional.
The opportunity to go to college where I will also pursue a major in business administration and also play football was very good and I decided to go that way," said Paul. One of the agreements between himself and USF was he be given time off to represent the country. "I don't want to turn my back because I know we have quite a few more competitions coming up especially the Olympics in 2012, and then the World Cup qualifiers for 2014."