In November of 2007, Chivas USA acquired forward Atiba Harris, a 22-year-old Saint Kits and Nevis international and two-year veteran of Major League Soccer, in a trade with Real Salt Lake.
Born January 9, 1985 in St. Peters, St. Kitts, Harris is a two-year veteran of MLS, having signed with Real Salt Lake as a Youth International prior to the 2006 season. In two seasons with RSL, Harris appeared in 43 regular-season matches (starting 25), logging 2,405 minutes and registering 4 goals and 2 assists.
The first player from St. Kitts to sign with a European club, Harris joined the youth system of English giant Newcastle as a 17-year-old in 2002. In 2003 he moved to Cádiz, then of the Spanish First Division, who loaned him out to Second Division side CD Linares for a portion of the 2003-04 campaign. Prior to signing with Real Salt Lake in 2006, Harris played portions of the 2004 and 2005 seasons for Elco St. Peters in his native St. Kitts.
Internationally, Harris made his debut with the senior national team of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2000, at age 15, and has since accumulated 22 appearances for the Caribbean nation, scoring 7 goals. He has also represented his country at the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. On Saturday at the World Cup Qualifying Draw in South Africa, FIFA announced that St. Kitts and Nevis will face Belize this spring in opening round CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, with the winner of the home-and-home series advancing to face Mexico in Round Two.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Beginnings: I grew up in a sports family. I grew up playing soccer, it is in the family. My dad played soccer, my mom was an athlete. My cousin also played. Chivas USA: I know the tradition about Chivas Guadalajara and I like where the Club is headed. I’m just happy to be here; from day one I felt welcomed by the guys.
Favorite food: I love Caribbean, Chilean, and Mexican food. I like a Caribbean dish that is made with chicken, stew, and rice.
If you weren’t a professional soccer player: Probably having my own company, that’s what I actually would like to do after I retire, eventually helping kids on the Islands.
