Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has agreed to join Major League Soccer side Toronto FC and will complete his move next month, according to Team Talk. The 31-year-old will not secure the switch until February 28, meaning he is still eligible to play for Spurs and could still feature in crunch games against Manchester City and Everton. But he will end his five-year association with the White Hart Lane club for a second time, having also played for the Londoners between 2004-08. Defoe, who has played more than 250 games for Spurs and last year became Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer in Europe after surpassing Martin Chivers's long-standing record, said:
"Everybody knows how much this club means to me and I will play my heart out for the team and the fans until my last kick for the club. I have had a fantastic time here and the fans have always been amazing to me. "I am grateful for the opportunity for myself and my family to experience living overseas and for me to play in the MLS with a contract that will take me to the age of 35. "I have no doubt I shall be coming back as a fan supporting the team in the years to come too."
Importantly, Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood revealed he would NOT be looking to replace Defoe in this month's transfer window, stating:
"We have several attacking options within our squad for the remaining dozen or so games of the season after Jermain departs and we shall keep our options under review. "We also have a goal threat from players in other areas of the pitch including having wide players and attacking midfielders who will enable us to vary our shape when required."
The agreement of the move brings to an end speculation linking the England international with a move to Canada, after Toronto boss Ryan Nelsen had earlier cooled reports of a transfer. But the ex-Portsmouth man is expected to be 'unveiled' by the MLS outfit next Monday after signing a four-year-contract worth an estimated £90,000-a-week - one of the league's biggest ever deals. And though Defoe will soon be waving goodbye to his teammates, he is set for a quick reunion because Spurs have announced they will play Toronto in a pre-season friendly on July 23.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
