PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The out-of-season transfer window has been kind to one Guyanese footballer, and unkind to another.

Undisputed reigning Pro League champions Joe Public FC have signed hard-tackling defender Charles Pollard from Caledonia AIA, which released his compatriot Randy Jerome for the coming season.

The 35-year-old Pollard has benefitted from the decision of key defenders Seon Powers and Keyeno Thomas making the switch to Ma Pau during the Christmas holidays.

“Pollard has a lot of experience and great leadership qualities that will help steady our defence this season,” said Joe Public coach Derek King.

“We have the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship, then CONCACAF Champions League, and domestic competitions ahead of us, and we will need capable players such as Pollard.”

Joe Public, also called the Eastern Lions, were the undisputed top team last season, when they won the major titles on offer in T&T including the Pro League championship.

But Jerome was not as fortunate as his fellow Guyanese, and had his contract with Caledonia terminated.

Jerome has played for no fewer than four clubs in T&T, and he rejoined Caledonia for the latter part of the 2009 season.

Jerome, a former Golden Boot winner in the Pro League, helped Caledonia to a third place finish, the runner-up spot in the Final of the Pro Bowl, and a semi-final place in the FA Trophy competition.