CT United FC Appoint Inaugural Head Coach, Begin Roster Build
The last week has seen CT United FC take its first steps to building a team ahead of its inaugural season in 2026
CT United FC fans received two gifts this holiday season, as the club announced its inaugural head coach and its first-ever signing last week.
It all started on December 23rd as the club made history, appointing 44-year-old Shavar Thomas as the club’s inaugural head coach.
Thomas joins CTUFC following stints at the helm of Jamaican Premier League side Portmore United FC, and assistant coaching roles with the Turks & Caicos National Team and FC Cincinnati 2.
Before entering the world of coaching, Thomas began his playing career at the University of Connecticut. In 2003, Thomas was selected by the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) with the 10th overall pick in the SuperDraft.
Following his time in Dallas, Thomas went on to have spells with MLS sides Kansas City Wizards, LA Galaxy, Chivas USA, Philadelphia Union, and the Montreal Impact, and NASL side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Thomas’s professional career saw him notch three goals and clock 17,484 minutes over 215 appearances. His performances at the club level led to success at the international level as he made over 50 appearances for the Jamaican National Team.
In a press releasee, CT Sport Group CEO André Swanston had nothing but praise for Thomas.
“And for people who know Shavar, none of this success is surprising,” Swanston said. “I’ve known him for nearly 30 years, and his work ethic has always been relentless. That mentality—how he carries himself, how he competes, how he leads—is exactly what we want embedded into CT United from day one.”.
With a head coach in place, the attention now turns to building a roster ahead of the inaugural season. December 26 saw the club take the first step in doing so as they announced the signing of 22-year-old winger Barnabas Tanyi. He arrives after stints with USL Championship side Detroit City FC and Slovenian sides NK Brezice 1919, and most recently, NK Aluminij.
After beginning his career in Hungarian side Debreceni VSC’s youth setup, Tanyi traveled to the U.S., joining USL Championship side Detroit City FC’s Academy in 2016. During his tenure in Detroit’s Academy, Tanyi clocked 93 minutes in nine appearances across all competitions before departing to join NK Brezice 1919.
After a stint with NK Brezice 1919, Tanyi joined NK Aluminij in 2024. His time with Aluminij saw Tanyi notch 13 goals and six assists in 51 appearances across all competitions across the Slovakian first and second divisions.
Tanyi arrives in Connecticut with some silverware under his belt. He assisted NK Aluminij earn promotion to the Prva Liga after winning the Druga Liga title in 2023-24 after being relegated the season-prior.
After appointing Shavar Thomas as the club’s first head coach and making forward Barnabas Tanyi the first signing in club history, CTUFC continued to bolster its roster with the additions of defenders Andre Applewhaite and Nelson Rodriguez.
23-year-old Applewhaite joins CTUFC after stints at the collegiate levels with Notre Dame and Coastal Bend College. After college, Applewhaite went on to have spells with NPSL side Appalachian FC and returned home to his native Barbados to play with the Weymouth Whalers.
During his time with the Whalers, Applewhaite tallied six goals and four assists across seven CFU Club Shield and Concacaf Caribbean Cup appearances. His success at the club level has made him a focal point with the Barbados National Team, which has seen him captain the side in 11 of his 26 caps while tallying three goals.
Rodriguez joins CTUFC after stints with the Colorado Rapids Academy, along with El Salvadorian sides CD Águila Reserves, Once Deportivo U20s, CD Luis Angel Firpo, CD Dragón, CD FAS, and a return to CD Águila’s senior team. Rodriguez’s professional career has seen him tally three goals and four assists across El Salvador.
While he’s yet to debut on the international stage, Rodriguez does have six bench appearances for the El Salvadorian National Team.
There is still plenty of work to do before the club begins play in 2026, but it appears the club has gotten off to a good start with the additions of Shavar Thomas, Barnabas Tanyi, Andre Applewhaite, and Nelson Rodriguez.