Toronto FC has added experience and helped stiffen its defence with the acquisition of Brazilian veteran Julio Cesar, once on Real Madrid’s books.

The MLS club had yet to formally announce the move, but a source confirmed for The Canadian Press that the holding midfielder/defender will join the club.

The 34-year-old Cesar played 27 games for Sporting Kansas City in each of the last two seasons before being waived in November. Cesar made a hefty $255,750 in 2012.

Kansas City had the league’s stingiest defence last season, yielding just 27 goals. Toronto was the worst with 62 allowed.

Cesar has only scored three goals in MLS, but two came against Canadian teams.

His one goal in 2012 came against Toronto, a stunning volley from close range off a corner — voted goal of the week. The Brazilian opened his MLS account with the deciding goal in a 2-1 victory over Vancouver in June 2011.

Cesar’s club soccer resume is extensive:

He signed with C.D. Marathon before moving to Spain’s Real Valladolid at 17, then Real Madrid. He went on play for Italy’s AC Milan, Portugal’s Benfica, Austria Vienna, Valladolid (again), England’s Bolton Wanderers, Mexico’s Tigres, Greece’s Olympiacos, Romania’s FC Dinamo Bucuresti, Turkey’s Gaziantepspor and Portugal’s Maritimo Funchal.

Veteran Torsten Frings is ostensibly Toronto’s holding midfielder but has also played in the backline to shore up a leaky defence. The addition of veteran defender Danny Califf and possible additions in Thursday’s SuperDraft should allow Frings to remain in midfield.