In recent days, Toronto sent midfielder Kyle Bekker to FC Dallas and winger/forward Dominic Oduro to Montreal — both for allocation money. Combined the two made almost US$330,000 last year.

The MLS salary cap was $3.1 million last season with each designated players over the age of 23 counting just $387,500 against the cap. Toronto's actual number will be closer to $20 million this year and that's with a pro-rated 2015 figure for Giovinco.

Toronto still has work to do to meet roster compliance, with four designated players — one over the limit. Brazilian striker Gilberto, currently at home awaiting his fate, is the odd man out.

Toronto, practising under the bubble this week at its north Toronto training centre, heads to Orlando on Sunday to continue training camp. Cheyrou is expected to join the team there.

Named to the Ligue 1 team of the year in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10, Cheyrou made 304 combined appearances for Marseille in Ligue 1, Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League, French Cup and League Cup.

His Marseille contract was terminated by a tribunal after an apparent fallout with coach Marcelo Bielsa.

"I'm very excited to sign for Toronto FC," Cheyrou said in a statement. "I cannot wait to wear the jersey and join my new teammates."

Cheyrou has represented France at the U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels. He earned a call-up to the French national team in February 25 2010 but has yet to earn a cap.

He is the brother of French international Bruno Cheyrou, who played for Liverpool among other clubs.

Toronto finished out of the playoffs for the eighth straight year last season with an 11-15-8 record.

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By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press