Toronto keen to finally unveil Defoe as new star striker ahead of MLS season kick-off



Toronto FC hope to make a formal announcement about Jermain Defoe’s transfer from Tottenham at the end of next week.

As previously reported by Sportsmail, the clubs have agreed a £6m deal with Defoe, 31, who is expected to join up with his new team-mates in March for the new MLS season.

He'll be under the direction of former Spurs teammate Ryan Nelson, who retired from playing at Queens Park Rangers this year to take up the Reds' manager job in Ontario, Canada.



On the move: Defoe will complete his transfer from to Toronto in the MLS next month

Cameo: Defoe's last run for Spurs was coming on for Roberto Soldado in the 85th minute against Southampton

Defoe played second fiddle to Roberto Soldado throughout this season under Andres Villas-Boas but started in the first game under new boss Tim Sherwood, alongside Emmanuel Adebayor in their Capital One Cup loss to West Ham.

Defoe, who is pushing for a place on the plane to Brazil with Roy Hodgson's England squad, has missed Spurs last two Premier League games - against West Bromwich Albion and Stoke - after picking up a hamstring injury.



Rough trot: Defoe carries the ball back to restart after West Ham took the lead in their Capital One Cup loss

His last appearance was in the dying minutes of their 3-2 win over Southampton on December 22.

Defoe has scored nine goals in his 21 appearances for club and country this season, but hasn't found the net in any of his 12 Premier League runs.

He's scored seven in five Europa League games and a double against Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup.