Toronto FC will introduce Canadian national team star Julian DeGuzman as the club's first Designated Player at a press conference today in Toronto in a multi-million dollar move that should help TFC make a serious push toward playoff contention.
DeGuzman, 28, joins TFC after a lengthy and successful career in Europe, where he played in Germany and Spain before agreeing to a deal this week to become the club's most high-profile signing since being founded in 2007. He is joining the team on a free transfer and a portion of the money spent to bring him to Toronto FC came from the club's revenue from the sale of midfielder Maurice Edu to Glasgow Rangers last season.
A central midfielder who's vision, skill and tenacity make him a dominating player in the middle, DeGuzman passed up offers in Europe to return to Canada and serve as the new face of a franchise that was still in need of another marquee player. DeGuzman, 28, is the second-youngest DP in league history, with recent Houston Dynamo signing Luis Angel Landin (24) being the youngest.
What's the SBI take? He has the talent to step in and be one of the best, and certainly one of the most influential, central midfielders in MLS. He won't score goals, but his workrate, leadership skills and vision will provide a boost that should help a TFC squad that was lacking a bit of fire in the lineup. The move is a bold one by Toronto FC, to go after a player who is still very much in his prime, a player who still had options in Europe. You can only hope that other MLS teams take notice and attempt similar moves to lure better and younger marquee talent to the league.
TFC currently sits in fifth place in the East, two points out of a playoff spot.
What do you think of this signing? Impressed with Toronto FC's successful push to land the Canadian national star? Think the club should have signed a forward instead? Can you see TFC making the playoffs for the first time in team history?
Share your thoughts below.