Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the sale of striker Jermain Defoe to Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC.
The England international has scored 78 goals for Spurs in 184 appearances after signing for the north London club for the second time, taking his tally in total to 142 in 361 games and making him the fifth highest goalscorer in Tottenham history.
This season, he also became the club’s top European scorer with 23 goals in 35 appearances, overtaking Martin Chivers in the process.
Spurs confirmed today that Defoe would remain at White Hart Lane until February 28th 2014, and despite now no longer having senior backup forwards in the squad behind Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor, Spurs boss Tim Sherwood did not sound optimistic about signing a further attacker.
“This is a great opportunity for Jermain and he feels it is one that he wishes to pursue,” Sherwood told the official Tottenham Hotspur website. He has played a big part in the Club for many years and we all know he will give his best until his last minute in a Spurs shirt.
“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.”
“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,” said Jermain.
“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.”
COMMENTS