The Puerto Rico Islanders are pleased to announce the signing of Irish forward Steven Beattie for the 2011 North American Soccer League (NASL) season, CFU Cup (Caribbean Football Union) and eventually the CONCACAF Champions League.

Beattie, the 13th overall pick of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by Toronto FC, helped North Kentucky University win the NCAA Division II Championship in 2010 and finished his college career with 77 goals, becoming Northern Kentucky’s all-time leading goalscorer.  He also registered 30 assists, second most in NKU’s history, and was named twice the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year. “What we have achieved this year will be a memory we will cherish forever”, said Beattie to a group of NKU faculty and staff at a campus holiday reception.

“We are all very excited in acquiring the signature of Beattie. Again he came to us with good contacts through Colin Clarke and having spoken to Steven he is very excited and realizes the challenge that is ahead to work his way into our team”, said Islanders assistant coach Adrian Whitbread.   

“I am really happy to be part of a great organization. The coaches made me fit in right away and my teammates are great. I can’t wait to start the season and I’m looking forward to help the team get back-to-back championships”, said Beattie.

The 2010 USSF D-2 Champions will begin their 2011 NASL season on April 9th when they face Carolina at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.The CFU Championship will initiate in Puerto Rico on April 13th when they will face Walking Boyz, Co of Surinam.

The Islanders will have their NASL home opener on April 26 against the NSC Minnesota Stars at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, also known as “La Islandera”.