Trinidadian Keston Lewis will be the first non-Bermudian player to represent Bermuda Hogges after he was included in the 19-man squad yesterday.

Lewis, who wears the colours of Friendship Trophy champions PHC Zebras, could be in the line-up this Friday as the Hogges fly to Maryland to take on Crystal Baltimore in their first match of the 2009 USL Division II season.

A day later they face Real Maryland.

Lewis has emerged as one of the Premier Division's most dangerous midfielders over the last two seasons.

The 27-year-old capped off his debut domestic season with a memorable treble and the thought of teaming up with PHC coach Kyle Lightbourne and other members of the PHC set-up as a Hogges player is something he relishes.

"It feels good, there will be a lot of expectations so I will try to live up to them but more importantly help the team in any way possible," he said yesterday.

"On paper we have a pretty good team, I will just be trying to contribute to the talent we already have.

"Playing with some of the PHC boys will make the transition a lot easier. I came to train with the squad and everyone was very positive which makes it a whole lot smoother.

"Hopefully we can be more successful than we were last year, so it will be interesting.

"Kyle carries the same training philosophies at the Hogges as with PHC so that hasn't been a problem. The motto of 'if you train hard, you play hard' will be there because if you don't train well you won't be able to produce the goods."

Coach Lightbourne was thought to be looking to add up to five new players before the season started after seeing some of his prized possessions lured to greener pastures.

A speedy striker was on top of the list after having his attacking reserves depleted with John Barry Nusum joining Crystal Palace Baltimore and Keishen Bean signing for Canadian development outfit Ottawa Fury, so as to preserve his college amateur status.

A possible remedy to that particular problem could be in the form of Lewis who, along Hamilton Parish striker Jamie Smith, should add a new dimension to the side.

"We are hoping we can have a better balance than in the past," said Lightbourne. "Some of the new guys will get a shock to the system, so we will have to guide them in the right direction.

"I have been very impressed with Jamie and his training habits, and if he performs on the field as he does in training with his eagerness then we could go a long way.

"He shows good attitude and spirit."

Having exceeded many people's expectations last term, winning five games including a 3-1 away win to this weekend's opening day opponents, Hogges will be looking to get off to a flying start.

And speedster Lewis hopes for a big season for both himself and the team.

With leading goalscorer form last year, Damon Ming, recalled, Lewis is optimistic about the new-look Hogges.

"The team have been training hard and have had a few games against the Under-23s and we are actually looking good at the moment," he said.

"I am really looking forward to playing with this group of guys, we have a lot of talented players and I'm happy to be a part of that.

"There are certainly a lot of expectations but I think the first two years were growing years and learning from what they came up against.

"Talking to some of the guys from last year, they said it was the physical side of the game that got them in trouble, it was more the ability to apply that ability and skill that sets teams in the league apart.

"I think we have a great opportunity of progressing through to the play-offs and make a good impact on this league, get some more fans out and show some enthusiasm for playing for the Hogges.

"I just want to contribute in any way I can, whether it be an assist, goals, I just want to make sure we win games this year."

Hogges squad: N.Burgess, T.Figureido, J.Ball, B.Bean, D.Cox, O.Shakir, K.Richards, S.Degraff, L.Dill, K.Jennings, K.Lewis, D.Ming, J.Peniston, T.Russell, S.Astwood, J.Smith, L.Holder, A.Russell, D.Coddington, J.Williams, S.Darrell.

n Tickets for Hogges home games will go on sale on the club's website, www.bermudahoggesfc.com, next week ahead of the team's first game on May 1 against Harrisburg City Islanders at the National Sports Centre.