Keith Jennings' professional football career at Hamilton Thunder was short-lived as the talented player backed away from a one-year deal and has reportedly returned to the Island.

Jennings departed for Canada on May 19 and only played in one exhibition match in which he suffered an injury before deciding to call it quits last week.

The gifted North Village player was a nominee for this year's Bermuda Football Association Most Valuable Player of the Year award which eventually went to Devonshire Cougars' marksman Raymond Beach.

Jennings could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The Thunder opened their domestic season with a 2-2 draw against Toronto Supra last Thursday at their home venue some 45 minutes outside of Toronto.

The Canadian side completed a tour of Bermuda in late April during which they came away with a 1-0 win and a 2-2 draw against a local select of Premier and First Division players.

The Thunder also had an eye on Jennings' cousin, Jemiko, just prior to their arrival on the Island, but for one reason or another they opted to take only Keith.

He underwent trials with the Canadian Professional Soccer League side in February.

"As far as I know it was Keith's personal decision not to stay with us and return home," said Thunder administrator, Megan Davren from Ontario yesterday.

"He trained with the team and played in one exhibition game against the Toronto Croatia.

"He played fine but was injured in the match and he only trained moderately after that. And then he departed before the season began."

The Thunder's loss will almost certainly be Village's gain as Jennings is expected to be back in the league champions' squad at the start of next season.