Jermain Defoe has become the latest in a list of major players to complete a move to the MLS in recent years, following stars like David Beckham and Alessandro Nesta as the Englishman completed a move to Toronto. The Tottenham Hotspur striker has fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane, and was outlined as a target for his new side for some time, although at times that did look like a dream that would not come true.
This is undoubtedly a very big signing for Toronto and the MLS as a league. At 31, Defoe still has a lot to offer to most teams, and if it were not for Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor, the England international would probably be playing a lot more at Spurs. Indeed, many Spurs fans believe the ex-Portsmouth man is quite underrated by most, and many would like to see him play more than he does currently.
Once the transfer has gone through in late February, and Defoe is able to start turning out for his new team, the Englishman will join up with his former Spurs team-mate Ryan Nelsen, who is now manager of The Reds after hanging up his boots and going to take charge there last year. The New Zealander will almost certainly have played a part in convincing the striker to move to the MLS.
There are also reports that rapper Drake also tried to convince Jermain Defoe to complete the move to Toronto. The 27-year-old originates from Toronto, and as such is a fan of the local football team. When you have as high status as the Canadian rapper does, you’re going to want to do everything you can to convince a player of Defoe’s calibre to join your team.
In terms of finance, the deal is rumoured to be for around £6 million, but with other non-financial benefits added on for Spurs. The Lilywhites will keep the striker until 28th February, before he moves to Canada ahead of the 2014 MLS season, on a contract rumoured to be as high as £90k per week. There are also agreements in places related to things like merchandising and so on, due to Toronto being own by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Toronto and Spurs will play a friendly this summer, during Tottenham’s tour to America; this game will be played on July 24th.
