HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic announced on Monday the club had signed defender Triston Hodge ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Hodge joins Robin Lapert, Tulu, Ash Apollon, and Niall Logue as defenders on the 2023 roster to date.

“I’m grateful to be given this opportunity with Hartford,” said Hodge. “I can feel the excitement around this team with Tab Ramos at the helm, and I can’t wait to begin playing under him and developing chemistry with my teammates. 2023 is going to be a great year for Hartford.”

Hodge comes to Hartford having spent the past two seasons with fellow USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. In 2022, he was a mainstay at left back in Colorado Springs’ back line and helped the side record 10 clean sheets on the season as the Switchbacks reached the Western Conference Final for the first time in the postseason. Across 26 appearances and 21 starts, Hodge made 41 clearances, 23 interceptions, and won a team-leading 40 tackles.

“Triston is a great presence to add to our back line,” said Hartford Head Coach Tab Ramos. “He is a technically talented defender who gets into the attack quickly, which fits perfectly into our style of play.”

Hodge was acquired by Colorado Springs in 2021 on permanent transfer from W Connection F.C., a six-time champion of the TT Pro League, the top league in Trinidad and Tobago. He had previously made his USL Championship debut on loan with Toronto FC II in 2016, and spent two seasons with Memphis 901 FC in 2019 and 2020.

“Triston brings incredible experience and versatility to our roster,” said Athletic Technical Director Ray Reid. “He has experience playing in important matches at the senior international level with Trinidad and Tobago and was a leader of one of the league’s best defenses last year in Colorado. We expect Triston will raise the level of our defending even further next season.”

The 28-year-old Trinidadian has five caps for the Soca Warriors, including his appearance in the Soca Warriors’ 2-1 win over the United States in the World Cup qualifiers in 2017.