Freddy Hall started for Toronto last Saturday against Liverpool at the Rogers Centre alongside fellow Bermudian Reggie Lambe. *File photo

Freddy Hall started for Toronto last Saturday against Liverpool at the Rogers Centre alongside fellow Bermudian Reggie Lambe. *File photo

FRIDAY, JULY 27: Bermuda now has two football stars on the same team as Freddy Hall has made the move to Canada where he will play for MLS team Toronto FC.

The move comes after he was on trial for the club earlier this month after being released from his one-year contract at Northampton in the UK.

Hall even started for Toronto last Saturday against Liverpool at the Rogers Centre alongside fellow Bermudian Reggie Lambe.

The 27-year-old spoke to us hours after he signed the contract and encouraged young Bermudian footballers to put in the work if they want to go pro.

Pursued

He flew to Toronto yesterday where he will start training immediately.

Asked how he ended up in Toronto, Hall said: “When I was at Northampton, I had heard interest from Toronto and couldn’t really do anything because I was contracted.

“We were still in season. I never really pursued it, then once the season ended, the interest was still there and talking became more advanced and they wanted me to come out there to see me.

“I knew about their new coach, Paul Mariner, and he knew about me for awhile when I was on trial at Plymouth.

“He was the one that brought me there.

As far as the differences he will face from playing in an English league to playing in the MLS, Hall said: “The league I was playing in was a very competitive league

“I wouldn’t say I was any where near close to the best leagues.

“You can compare this league to the NBA with the quick turnaround.

“You are travelling all over the States and your have games every three days.

“It’s a lot of wear and tear.”

And the St George’s native is pleased to be playing alongside Lambe.

“It’s nice playing with Reggie — He’s a quality player.

“Our relationship is nice on and off the field. It’s great having someone here from our country.”

Historic

“It makes you more comfortable especially going to a new team. It makes it easier to settle.”

Asked how it felt to play against Liverpool last week, the goalkeeper said: “I was a great experience.

“The name Liverpool itself is historic. To play against a team like that is something I’ll never forget.

“I knew that I was going to play but I found out I was going to start the day before the game.”

During the game, many Bermudians sent out messages of support via Twitter and/or through Facebook.

“It’s really humbling when you know people from your country have your back and want to see you do well.

“It’s something that really makes you feel good about yourself and it pushes you to achieve more.”

Speaking about his new team, Hall said: “My biggest thing was finding security in playing football.

“I really wanted to just have the opportunity to play and improve any grow as a football player.

“I feel having a coach who’s confident and is very supportive is something that helps you settle in and want to do well. Toronto is a real first class club so it’s really amazing to even be apart of it.”

And finally, he gave advice to aspiring footballers. “There are so many people who want to play football. You have to be exceptional and if you really want it, you have to put in the work.

“Don’t feel talent alone is going to get you to the next level. There are players that I wouldn’t ever consider that great who have made it just because of their mentality, their mindset.

“You have to want it more than the next person.”