Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen will have to be careful when Jermain Defoe arrives at the club.
Ahead of what would have been his final game in a Tottenham uniform, Defoe was ruled out of Tottenham’s Europa League second-leg match against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Thursday with a hamstring injury. It’s unknown how serious the injury is, though it was enough to keep the TFC signing out of action.
Defoe will be honored at half time of Tottenham’s Europa League game.
“Jimmy Greaves was the best, but you would say Jermain has also been one of the best goalscorers this club has ever seen,” Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said at a press conference. “Let’s hope we can find another one like Jermain Defoe.
“He has been all about goals. Whenever he put on the shirt he always played with all his heart and spirit for the club. Everyone appreciates his efforts. He is a legend at the club.”
The 31-year-old Defoe was announced as TFC’s second Designated Player signing of the offseason at a press conference on Jan. 13, where he was introduced along with fellow new Designated Player signing Michael Bradley. Including transfer fees and salaries, both deals will reportedly cost Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment $100 million.
Defoe will officially become a TFC player on March 1. A source close to the situation told SBI that Defoe’s arrival in Toronto depends on whether he is called into England’s squad for their friendly match on March 5 against Denmark. If he isn’t selected, Defoe could arrive as soon as this weekend. If not, he’ll likely arrive in Toronto on March 7 or 8.
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What do you think of this news? Think that TFC are worried about his injury? Do you expect him to be fit for the season opener against the Seattle Sounders on March 15?
Share your thoughts below.
Lol we just gotta be cursed
If I am him I get injured too.
He just doesn’t want to play in that meaningless game. Ready to move on to his new career.
I just pulled a hammy pronouncing Tottenhams Europa League opponent.
Start the excuse narrative for when Toronto FC stinks yet again, even after dropping a cool 100 mil.
Defoe joins the new MLS DP Injured Club: Beckham, Dempsey, Ljungberg, Martins.
Who did I leave out?
Watch out Michael Bradley.
Donovan was nursing his mental health this time last year. Does that count as an injury?
ask for a refund!
I thought this guy signed for TFC not DC United?
It’s a hamstring, so always some concern, but this sounds pretty minor. Sounds like there was a chance, according to Sherwood, that Defoe would “be ready in time to face the Ukraine outfit,” but he isn’t. Also, if your sources are saying there’s a chance that he could be called in to England squad in early March, guessing it’s not that bad.
It’s a concern because Defoe is on the wrong side of 30 and has these little injuries pretty frequently.