Garcia hopes for ‘many achievements ‘ in Greece

TT midfielder Levi Garcia says he feels optimistic towards playing with his new team AEK Athens. He said he is thankful to God for the opportunity.

The 22-year-old was signed by the Greek club on a five-year deal for a transfer fee of €2.2 million and will now compete in the Greek Super League.

He previously played in Israel for Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC (2018-2019) and Beitar Jerusalem 2019-2020).

Speaking with Newsday on Wednesday afternoon, after his official signing ceremony, he said the club first alerted him of their interest in early July.

“I (had) already started preparing myself to move along once it was serious,” he said.

But he added, “My time in Israel was well-spent. I had a difficult start with Shmona in the first year but in the second year, I think things went pretty well.”

For the 2018-2019 season of the Israeli Premier League, Shmona finished ninth on the table out of 14 teams. And in the 2019-2020 season, Beitar finished third.

He said despite not getting as many goals as he would have liked, the 2019-2020 season was a wonderful one.

Since the news broke of his new deal, he said his phone has not stopped buzzing as family and friends are reaching out to congratulate him.

“It’s a great feeling for me and my family, and TT, in fact. It’s not that I can’t believe it but it’s just that emotions are all over the place and I have to try and calm them before I step forward.”

He said he is ready to work hard and urged his colleagues at home not to give up on their dreams.

He has 27 international caps for TT, was a former national Under-17 and Under-20 representative.