Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jermain Defoe was persuaded to join Toronto - after a phone call from rap mega-star Drake.

The Canadian rapper has been recruited by Toronto FC for an ambassadorial role, and rang Tottenham striker Defoe to try and talk him into moving to his hometown Major League Soccer team.

Defoe, 31, is a huge fan of Drake - who is massively popular among footballers - and was blown away that he made personal contact, according to sources in Toronto.

Toronto FC say they have used Drake to help them recruit big stars to their team, and now - as we exclusively revealed in October - Defoe is now set to go to MLS.

(Image: Getty)

But the England international, who has agreed a mega-bucks four year contract, is expected to be loaned back to the north Londoners until pre-season starts ahead of the North American league's big kick-off on March 8.

Defoe is acutely aware that his Canadian switch could affect his World Cup chances, but is confident he can still make Roy Hodgson's squad for Brazil next summer and believes the offer was too good to turn down.

The 31-year-old has been offered a deal worth £90,000-a-week, while Toronto will also pay for unlimited flights for him and his family and provide him with two houses.

It is a huge retirement package, and the call from Drake helped seal the deal with Toronto.