Kemar Michael Lawrence, as in Kemar Lawrence, is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC and the Jamaica national team. He has earned himself a nickname, Taxi.
Kemar was born on 17 September 1992 in Kingston, Jamaica. He stands at the height of 5 ft 10 in or 178 cm and has a decent weight. His position in the football team is left-back. Here’s more about him!
Kemar Lawrence Transfer To Toronto FC
Reportedly on May 2021, Toronto FC announced that they were signing an experienced Jamaican footballer, Kemar, to their team from the Belgian club Anderlecht until 2024. He will be added to the roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate.
It has been reported that Toronto FC paid a $600,000 transfer fee to Anderlecht for Lawrence, who was sold by the New York Red Bulls for $1.2 million in January 2020. This transfer will reunite Kemar with former Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas and former GM Curtis in Toronto FC.
Poster by Toeonto FC after Kemar Lawrence transfer Toronto FC (©: Twitter/Toronto FC)
“He’s a very dynamic player,” Curtis said in an interview. He added, “He knows the league well. It’s always important to have quality and depth within the team because injuries happen and schedule congestion happens. So we’re just trying to be as prepared as possible.” He also said, “We think Kemar helps us, makes us a better team.” Lawrence will be with the team after the end of his quarantine session on 10 May 2021.
Net Worth Of Kemar Lawrence, His Salary, & Career
According to transfermarkt, Kemar Lawrence is worth $1.45 million in the transfer market. During his time on Belgian club Anderlecht, his salary was $10,946 per week and $569,239 annually.
His youth career began with Rae Town F.C. in the Jamaican second division. He then spent time in the residency with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2009, when the club competed in the USL first division.
He previously signed with Harbour View F.C. of the Red Stripe Premier League in 2007 and broke into the senior team in 2011. He made 50 appearances for the club between 2011 and 2014, winning the Jamaican National Premier League in 2013.
He made 118 appearances from season 2015 to 2019 for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS, securing 5 goals and 10 assists. In his five seasons with New York Red Bulls, he established himself as one of the best left-backs in the league and earning an MLS Best XI selection in 2018 and an MLS All-Star selection the same year – under current Toronto FC head coach Chris Armas.
28 years old Kemar was part of the team when it won the 2015 Supporters’ Shield. In 2019, he helped the Red Bulls’ backline secure nine clean sheets during the regular season.
After that, he was transferred to the Belgian club Anderlecht where he played 17 games, 16 games in Jupiler Pro League and 1 in Beker Van Belgie, securing a goal for the club.
Internationally, Lawrence has earned 60 caps and recorded three goals and six assists for the Jamaican national team, making his first call to the senior team that finished second in the 2015 and 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Kemar has had some serious injury and was unable to play some games for the club. He was mostly injured in the season 2015/16 with the Red Bulls with a total of missing 21 games, and recently in the season 2020/21 with Anderlecht, he became ill, missing a game for the club.
One of the injuries occurred during the game with Atlanta United; while Kemar was playing for the Red Bulls, he slammed against the ground after intercepting across. His teammates immediately called for the medic team, which delayed the game for more than 9 minutes as Kemar received medical treatment and was taken off the field in a stretcher to a local hospital.
Thankfully, he was reported to have been fully recovered at night after the game.