

Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

April 1, 2015 Email

Steve Bottjer

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Toronto FC and Orlando City make blockbuster trade involving six players, including three Designated Players. While Toronto FC haven’t always been a major success on the pitch, they have been a club that has consistently generated big headlines off of it, as well as a team that has always gone that extra mile to make a splash in a crowded Toronto sports market.



The original Canadian MLS club continued in that tradition on Wednesday by completing a genuinely shocking and wholly unexpected trade with Orlando City SC that will arguably go down as the biggest trade in the history of Major League Soccer.



Toronto FC announced Wednesday that the club has acquired Brazilian midfielder Kaka, Canadian striker Cyle Larin and defender Sean St Ledger in exchange for midfielder Michael Bradley, striker Jozy Altidore and defender Mark Bloom.



“This deal was not an easy one to make but we do feel that it strengthens our squad significantly,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We’d like to thank Michael, Jozy and Mark for their contributions to our club and we wish them all the best. It was an especially difficult decision to trade our captain and two of our Designated Players, but ultimately it was a trade that we could not turn down. Our staff believes that the combination of Kaka and Giovinco will give us the best one-two offensive punch in the history of the league. We’re also confident that Benoit Cheyrou will be able to fill the void left by Michael leaving our team and we also believe that Cyle Larin will be a top striker in this league for many years to come. Furthermore, bringing in a defender with the pedigree and experience of Sean St Ledger also significantly strengthens our back line.”



Toronto FC also recalled on loan Designated Player striker Gilberto back to the club from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, where the 25 year old attacker had scored three goals in five appearances. His return brings Toronto back up to three Designated Players following the departures of Bradley and Altidore.



“While it is hard to say goodbye to Michael, Jozy and Mark, we are very excited to welcome Kaka, Cyle and Sean to Toronto FC and equally happy to have Gilberto back with the club,” said Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney. “Even though it is only the first day of April, we have thoroughly evaluated our squad and we feel this move gives our team more balance and an improved mix with respect to our back line, midfield options and up top. The potential of an attack featuring Kaka, Giovinco, Gilberto and Larin is limitless in my opinion. I cannot wait to start working these guys in training.”



Bradley, 27, was originally acquired via transfer from AS Roma on January 9, 2014; and made 25 appearances, scoring two goals for Toronto FC. Altidore, 25, was acquired from English side Sunderland in exchange for striker Jermain Defoe in January 2015 and scored twice for Toronto in two appearances. Bloom, 27, was originally acquired on loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks on July 12, 2013. His loan option was exercised by Toronto FC at the completion of the 2014 season, making a permanent move to the club the following season.



Former Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner Kaka immediately becomes the most accomplished and talented player ever to wear a TFC kit. The 32 year old attacking midfielder arrives in Toronto only a few weeks after making his Major League Soccer debut with Orlando against New York City FC.



Toronto native and Canadian International Cyle Larin, 19, returns to his hometown after being selected 1st overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and making a single appearance for Orlando City.



Republic of Ireland International defender Sean St Ledger arrives in Toronto fresh off of three appearances for Orlando City, bringing with him a significant amount of top level experience from stints with Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Preston North End, as well as 37 caps for Ireland.



“It is never easy to let go of quality players – and it’s even harder to say goodbye to absolute top quality people,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Ricardo, Cyle and Sean were top notch professionals while they were with Orlando and we wish them all the best in Toronto. In Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore we have acquired two of the top American players of all time and we will now have them playing for Orlando during their prime years as players. When you have the opportunity to bring in a leader of the quality of Michael Bradley, you don’t hesitate, you just do it. In acquiring Mark Bloom, we have also strengthened our back line with a player that I believe is one of the top right backs in the league.”



“It’s doesn’t happen very often that two clubs will make such major changes to their roster as early as April 1st,” Heath added. “That said, this is a trade that made sense for both clubs on multiple levels. I think it is very exciting for Orlando, Toronto and the league as a whole.”



Kaka, Larin, Gilberto and St Ledger are expected to be available to suit up and make their debuts for Toronto FC when the club travels to Toyota Park on Saturday to take on the Chicago Fire.