Bermuda's top goalkeeper, Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, believes his expected transfer to newly-promoted Southampton Rangers will have little effect on league champions North Village, emphasising that there is no ill feeling between he and his long-time club.

The decision by the 30-year-old ‘keeper to switch clubs marks one of the biggest moves of the off season - providing a major boost to the South Shore Road club as they aim to make their presence felt in the Premier Division.

While noting that his transfer hasn't been finalised yet, Adams said that he regarded it as a “done deal” and insisted that his departure from Village would leave no bad feelings.

“North Village have some good young talent coming along and I wouldn't want to see their careers become stagnant because of my presence,” said Adams of his impending move.

“I have spent most of my career there, since I was about four-years-old and then ending up with the senior team after initially starting to train with them at the age of 14. I played one season in the then First Division with BAA about eight years ago, but otherwise my entire amateur career has been with Village.”

Adams doesn't look at the move as one of severing links with Village, stressing that he will continue to have close ties with the team and will likely continue to make some sort of contribution, probably coaching at the junior level.

“I have thought about the move to Southampton a lot during the off season and I firmly think the time is right to do it now. It's certainly another challenge,” he said.

“Rangers have a need for a good goalkeeper. I spoke to Rick Richardson last year and told him that I would give it some consideration this year . . . so you can say it's about keeping my word.

“I have seen their progress, learned more of their programme and any team that gets promoted are going about it the right way and in the right direction. They have a good group of guys up there.”

While at Southampton he hopes to use his playing experience in a role as assistant to the coaches.

And he feels that with capable people at the club such as Director of Sports Richardson and coach Nick Jones, the programme is on the right track.

But there could also be some uncertainty as to Adams' future as he will continue his role as a part-time professional player in the United Soccer League A Division with the Charlotte Eagles.

This year he played in just six games but had to remain in top shape for emergency calls that came his way when the club's two starting goalkeepers got injured.

The US season has just concluded and Adams will take a long break from his standby role, but expects it to continue next season and is uncertain how much it will affect his new club.

“But it's a nice deal that I have with the Eagles. I am still on their books as a part-time player. I look at it this way, I am a player they value who they can call on to make a major contribution during any emergencies that may come up,” said Adams.

Meanwhile, he remains both optimistic and enthusiastic about what lies ahead of him at Southampton Oval, jokingly pointing out that Sunday's undefeated innings of 85 for Social Club in a First Division cricket encounter that saw the side win their first game of the season was a sign of good things to come.

“Hey, who knows what sort of success lies ahead for me at the Oval. Maybe there will be similar fortunes in soccer as I experienced while batting on Sunday,” he said.