ORLANDO, Fla. (February 25, 2017) - Orlando City SC has acquired Jamaican forward Giles Barnes from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for midfielder Brek Shea. Barnes holds a U.S. green card and therefore qualifies as a domestic player.
“We’re thrilled to boost our attack with a player like Giles. His versatility to score and create goals will be a valuable asset this season,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said. “I’d like to thank Brek for his exemplary professionalism during his time with our Club.”
The versatile 28-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience and can play forward or anywhere in the attacking midfield. Barnes has 33 goals and 15 assists in 120 starts among 131 regular and postseason appearances since joining Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012.
Barnes, whose grandparents are Jamaican, has also earned 18 caps for the Jamaican national team, scoring three goals since first joining the Reggae Boyz in 2015. Barnes made three appearances for Jamaica at Copa America Centenario.
Shea was among Orlando City’s first MLS signings in December 2014. After playing mostly left back in 2015, Shea moved up to left midfield in 2016. The 26-year-old scored three goals and six assists in 46 appearances, 39 of them starts, for the Lions. The Texas native also has 34 senior appearances for the U.S. national team.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC acquires forward Giles Barnes from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for midfielder Brek Shea.
Name: Giles Gordon Kirlue Barnes
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 181 lbs.
Birth Date: Aug. 5, 1988
Birthplace: London, England
Citizenship: England, Jamaica
