Charleston Battery sign three

The Charleston Battery signed three more players for the upcoming USL First Division season.

The Battery signed former Cuban national team striker Lester More, former UNC Greensboro All-American Randi Patterson and Canadian national team defender Marco Reda.

More defected from the Cuban national team last July during the 2007 Gold Cup. He is the all-time leading goal scorer for Cuba and made his debut for the national team at the age of 16.

"Lester has the potential to be a very explosive player," said Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser. "He hasn't played in a while. He's been in California training, so he's a little rusty. But from what we've seen in practice, he's very good in the air and he has the quality to put the ball in the back of the net."

More made his debut for the Cuban national team in 1996 and was a member of the squad at the 1998, 2003, 2005 and 2007 Gold Cup finals. He also played in 13 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1998, 2002 and 2006. At a club level Moré, 28, has played for FC Ciego de Ávila in the Cuban First Division where he scored 32 goals in 2006. He also played for FC Santa Clara at the end of the 2007 season.

Meanwhile, Patterson spent his rookie season with New York Red Bulls in 2007, but did not see action in any games.

Patterson, 23, was a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year at UNC Greensboro. He finished his college career with 61 goals and 19 assists.

"Randi is a player we tried to sign last season, but he opted to play in the MLS," Anhaeuser said. "He was a very potent goal scorer during the collegiate career and we're hoping he can carry that ability over to the professional level."

Reda, 30, played in seven games for Toronto FC in the MLS a year ago. Reda, who should play center back for the Battery, has seven caps with the Canadian national team.

"Marco gives us quality and experience in the back," Anhaeuser said.