Report: Toronto FC signs Gregory Van Der Wield to 2-year deal
By Mark Shannon
Multiple media outlets are reporting that Toronto FC is on the verge of signing former PSG man, Gregory van der Wiel from Serie A side Cagliari.
Are Toronto FC becoming soccer’s North American version of the New York Yankees? Toronto are reportedly on the verge of signing Gregory van der Wiel.
Already stacked with talent with the likes of Giovinco, Altidore, Vazquez….and a championship to boot how could they get any better? Well if the reports are true, Toronto FC are reportedly on the verge of signing another star talent.
Former PSG and Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel is reportedly close to a deal with Toronto FC for 2-years. If Twitter is to be believed, the Dutch international, who is currently playing with Cagliari in Serie A, will be in Toronto shortly for a medical that will seal the deal.
Source tells our @joshuakloke that Dutch right-back Gregory van der Wiel is en route to Toronto to sign with TFC: https://t.co/Mc1RWAAW0L
— The Athletic Toronto (@TheAthleticTO) January 26, 2018
Gregory Van der Wiel is close to completing a deal to join #TFC, according reports: https://t.co/bKu8cUJU5y pic.twitter.com/nBT6LVHBSE
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 26, 2018
According to the player’s agent on telesport.nl Hakim Slimani:
"“It was Gregory’s wish to play in the MLS, Toronto offered him that opportunity and convinced him with a brilliant presentation.”"
What does he add to the TFC defense?
Van der Wiel hasn’t been the player he was expected to be the last few years after breaking into the international stage with the Dutch national team. He made the 2010 World Cup Final with Holland and has the ability to find his peak form with Toronto FC.
He’s good on both sides of the ball, as his 2.2 tackles per game and his 5 goals and 19 assists in 148 games goes to show according to whoscored.com. Van der Wiel should be an upgrade to the now departed Beitashour and Edwards who left in the offseason.
Van der Wiel will slot in nicely on defense beside Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga, and Justin Morrow. If you thought Toronto’s defense was stingy last season en route to their first MLS Cup in franchise history, 2018 should be an amazing year for Alex Bono. 32 clean sheets? That’s a bit overboard, but the defense could be even stronger this season.
Toronto will be built to win in all four areas of the field. In goal their anchored by Bono. On defense, they’ll be by the veteran Moor, in the midfield Michael Bradley and Vazquez and upfront Toronto will once again be led by Altidore and Giovinco.
Next: USL: 2018 Schedule and Conference Alignment Set
If this signing does come true, the rest of the MLS better be on notice because Toronto isn’t giving up their title that easy.