One week after officially launching the team and signing its first three players, the Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO signed center back Gareth Evans Tuesday as their fourth player in preparation for their 2011 debut season.
The 23-year-old native of Wales has experience playing with Welsh youth and senior teams, while also spending time in the U.S. playing for the Austin Aztex and, most recently, the Real Maryland Monarchs. At Real Maryland, Evans captained the team for the 2010 season and was named to the All-League First Team in USL-2 while being honored as a finalist for Defender of the Year award.
“Gareth is a strong defender with vast USL experience,” LA Blues head coach Charlie Naimo said. “He was a first team USL-2 selection this past season and we feel his knowledge of the competition, along with his abilities gives us a great head start on building a strong and versatile back line.”
Evans began his youth career at the Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy at age 13. At 16, he made his debut with the Newi Cefn Druids in the Welsh Premier League. The next year, he moved to Wrexham FC making his debut with the first team as an 18-year-old in a game against Hull City in England’s League One.
Over four years, Evans made over 40 appearances for Wrexham playing in FA Cup and League Cup games during this time. In 2009, Evans came to play in the U.S. and signed with the Aztex, making over 25 appearances with the team before landing with Real Maryland as the team’s top defender and captain.
