Charleston Battery have signed Skylar Thomas for the 2017 season, pending USL and USSF approval, the Club announced Monday afternoon.
Toronto FC chose Thomas, 23, with the eleventh pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft; the same draft current Battery forward Romario Williams was chosen third overall by the Montreal Impact. Shortly after being drafted by the MLS team, Thomas signed with Toronto FC II of the USL.
Thomas signs with Charleston after spending the last two seasons with TFCII. The Ontario native made 47 appearances and scored four goals for the USL side during his two seasons in Canada.
Prior to being drafted in 2015, the center back spent four years at Syracuse University where he was a two-time captain. Thomas started all 56 games during his career with the Orange, scoring eight goals and adding an assist while anchoring the back four.
Thomas has earned playing time with Canada’s U18s, U20s, and U23s. The 6-5 defender made seven appearances for the U23s while playing for TFCII in 2015 and 2016.
Throughout the 2017 preseason, Thomas and Forrest Lasso have been platooning the center back spot next to Taylor Mueller vacated by Shawn Ferguson who announced his retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2016 season.
The Canadian newcomer joins a very experienced defensive corps that includes Quinton Griffith, O’Brian Woodbine, Mueller, and Lasso and is backed by goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper. Those five Battery veterans have combined to make over 400 appearances for the Club and will welcome a player of Thomas’ pedigree to the group.
The Battery continue their preseason tune-up this week with a rematch against Coastal Carolina University Tuesday at 7:00. Charleston won, 5-2, when the two sides met earlier this month. Tuesday’s match is at MUSC Health Stadium and is free and open to the public.
