Freddy Hall is hoping to join Bermuda team-mate Reggie Lambe at Toronto FC after being handed trials at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club.
Available on a free transfer after being released by English club Northampton Town, Hall appears to fit the bill for Toronto who are keen bolster their goalkeeping department following an injury to Stefan Frei.
Hall, 27, will spend this week proving his fitness to Toronto coach Paul Mariner, who is already familiar with Hall’s attributes from when he spent pre-season at Plymouth Argyle two years ago.
Mariner, a former Argyle assistant, is a close friend of Bermuda Hogges owner Paul Scope who helped facilitate Lambe’s move to Toronto last December and also alerted the club to Hall’s availability.
Scope said he believed Toronto would seriously consider swooping for the former St George’s keeper should he sufficiently impress during his trial.
“Freddy is training with Toronto who will be assessing his fitness and I’m hopeful he might get a chance at Toronto,” said Scope. “Their number two keeper broke his leg this season so they are down to two keepers and want to add a third.
“Of course, Paul knows Freddy’s ability because he almost signed him at Plymouth, so he’s just really assessing his fitness. Freddy’s a guy who keeps in shape so I’m hopeful he will prove his fitness and I wouldn’t be surprised if they take him on.”
Last summer saw Toronto forge links with Hogges as part of a football development agreement with the intention of tapping into the Island’s talent pool.
Lambe has already benefited the burgeoning relationship between the teams, becoming a regular starter under previous boss Aron Winter and his successor, Mariner.
And Scope expects more young Bermuda players to follow Lamb and possibly Hall by making a permanent move to the BMO Stadium.
“As long as Paul is there I’m looking to get more people up. I’ve been very impressed with Tre Ming and I might ask Toronto to take a look at him.
“Anybody who is in college or school in the US, I’m very reluctant to send to England because if they don’t make it they’ll hinder their schooling.
“That’s why the Hogges connection with Toronto and Orlando FC is important for the guys who are at school in the US.”
Hall endured a frustrating spell at Northampton, who he joined last summer on a one-year contract, making just three appearances for the club.
A regular for Bermuda in last year’s World Cup qualifiers, Hall was mentored and coached by ex-West Ham shot stopper Shaka Hislop at Quinnipiac University in the US.
Toronto’s five-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Sunday after losing 3-0 to Philadelphia Union at PPL Park.
Mariner’s side are bottom of the Eastern Conference with ten points from 17 matches.