Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Brazilian national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar is likely to leave Queens Park Rangers this spring in search of playing time, but the latest club he’s being linked with is quite a surprise.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who is set to start for Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, is being linked with a loan move to Toronto FC by Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte. The report states that the deal is just pending an official announcement, though O Globo doesn’t know whether the deal is only for the next six months (through the World Cup) or through the entire Major League Soccer season.
Toronto FC and MLS haven’t commented on the report.
Despite being Brazil’s starting goalkeeper, Cesar has been on the bench all season for Harry Redknapp and QPR, failing to even make the substitute’s bench in recent weeks. Part of the reason Cesar has failed to move away in two successive transfer windows is due to his salary, which is being reported in the region of $6 million per season.
As TFC have no Designated Player spots available, Cesar could only realistically come to Toronto FC on loan, and only then if QPR paid a majority of Cesar’s salary.
In addition, TFC signed goalkeeper Joe Bendik to a contract extension during the offseason after a strong season, despite the team’s results on the field.
If Cesar were to join TFC, he would bring an impressive resume. He’s earned 74 caps for Brazil in his 17-year professional career spent between Flamengo, Inter Milan (including a short stint with Chievo Verona), and QPR. While at Inter, Cesar won five Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and the Club World Cup title. In addition, he was named Serie A goalkeeper of the year on two occasions.
Cesar is expected to be named to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil squad for their friendly match on March 5 at South Africa.
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What do you think of this report? Do you see Cesar moving to TFC? Think he would take a pay cut to join the league?
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