Wilson returns to Battery

John Wilson proves that no matter how far away one travels, you can go home again.

After a four-year absence from the Lowcountry, Wilson will be back in a Charleston Battery uniform this summer, the team announced Tuesday morning.

Wilson, 30, and Jack Stewart, a veteran of three seasons in Major League Soccer, both signed contracts to play for the Charleston Battery for the upcoming 2008 season. The Battery also announced the signings of striker Darren Spicer and midfielder Nate Norman.

Wilson was a cornerstone of the Battery's 2003 A-League national championship team and earned first team All A-League honors in the process. The former Clemson All-American began his pro career with the Battery in 1999 and spent four seasons with the team.

"To get a player of John's quality is always exciting," said Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "John was an all-star defender when he was with us earlier in his career, and we think he can be a dominant player again for us."

Wilson is coming off an injury-plagued 2007 season with Major League Soccer's D.C. United. At the end of the 2006 season, Wilson had surgery to repair damage to his patella tendon in his knee. Even after six months of grueling rehabilitation, Wilson was never able to get back on the field last season. D.C. finally released Wilson in June.

"It was probably the toughest thing I've ever been through in my playing career," Wilson said. "I'd never had surgery before. I'd never had a major injury like that before. It's so frustrating not to be able to do the things you're used to doing on the field and in training. It was a long, difficult process, but I learned a lot about myself, and I honestly believe I'm a stronger person and will be a better player because of it."

Anhaeuser said he's not concerned with Wilson's injury.

"Our doctors have looked at John, and he's cleared to play," Anhaeuser said.

Wilson has kept a residence in Mount Pleasant over the years.

"I think as you get older your priorities kind of change," Wilson said. "I had a great time playing in Washington, but Major League Soccer has changed over the years. I wanted to play in a place where I felt comfortable and where I can be happy playing again. I wanted my family to be able to watch me play."

Wilson wasn't the only former MLS player to sign with the Battery this week. Stewart was originally drafted by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in the first round of the 2005 draft. Stewart was traded to Real Salt Lake this past summer and played 25 games in two years for Salt Lake.

"Jack is going to probably play in the middle for us, but he can play on the flank as well," Anhaeuser said.

The signings of Wilson and Stewart should help solidify the Battery's defensive core, which suffered through a lackluster season in 2007. Charleston gave up 39 goals a year ago, third most in the USL First Division.

Only Miami (41) and California (43) gave up more goals last season, and no team gave up more goals on the road than the 28 goals allowed by the Battery.

Meanwhile, Spicer played in 17 games for the Minnesota Thunder in 2007, scoring two goals and adding three assists. In 2006, Spicer was drafted by Chivas USA with the first pick of the second round.

Spicer was a four-year starter at Princeton and was named the 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year.

Norman was a four-year starter at Notre Dame. Norman was originally drafted in 2007 by the Chicago Fire.

A native of Rochester, Mich, Norman played in 82 games with 33 starts at Notre Dame. Norman compiled 27 points on seven goals and 13 assists. He led the team with seven assists in 2007, while also scoring two goals.

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com.