Toronto FC announced Tuesday it has signed midfielder Júlio César.



César, 34, spent the last two seasons with Sporting KC where he made 54 appearances with 50 game starts and scored three goals in all regular season appearances. He also made four playoff appearances during the 2011 and 2012 MLS Playoffs for the team.



A native of São Luis, Brazil, he joined Sporting KC, his first stint with a Major League Soccer club, as a guest trialist during the 2011 preseason. He signed with the team on March 14, 2011, making his debut during the team’s season opener.



“It’s important that Toronto FC becomes a more difficult team to play against this year. Julio Cesar will be an important part of the backbone of our team in the middle of the field,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “He’s a tough, experienced, committed player who was a big part of Sporting Kansas City’s success over the past two years, and we’re very pleased he will be a part of TFC this season.”



César made his professional debut with C.D. Marathón at the age of 17 years. Throughout his playing career, he has played with Real Madrid, AC Milan, Benfica, Austria Wien, Real Valladolid, Bolton Wanderers, Tigres UNAL, Olympiacos FC, FC Dinamo Bucuresti, Gaziantepspor, and Maritimo Funchal.



MLS SUPERDRAFT



Toronto FC technical staff will wrap-up the MLS adidas Player Combine on Tuesday before heading to the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, which takes place Thursday, January 17 in Indianapolis. The draft can be watched live on Toronto FC TV. Fans are encouraged to join the discussion on Twitter using #TFCLive & #SuperDraft.



Toronto FC will open its 2013 Major League Soccer preseason Saturday, January 19 in Toronto.

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