• Premier League

Defoe completes Toronto move

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has agreed a deal to join Toronto and will make his MLS move on February 28.

The MLS side have long been linked with a move for the England international, and they had recently hinted that a move would be announced on Monday on their official website.

And Spurs announced on their official Twitter feed that a deal was done:

We have reached agreement with Toronto FC for the transfer of Jermain Defoe to the MLS side, with effect from February 28, 2014— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 10, 2014

The 31-year-old, who scored 142 goals in nine years with Spurs across two spells, told the club's official website that he remained determined to end his time at White Hart Lane on a high.

"Everybody knows how much this club means to me and I will play my heart out for the team and the fans until my last kick for the club," he said. "I have had a fantastic time here and the fans have always been amazing to me.

"I am grateful for the opportunity for myself and my family to experience living overseas and for me to play in the MLS with a contract that will take me to the age of 35. I have no doubt I shall be coming back as a fan supporting the team in the years to come too."

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Spurs boss Tim Sherwood added: "This is a great opportunity for Jermain and he feels it is one that he wishes to pursue. He has played a big part in the club for many years and we all know he will give his best until his last minute in a Spurs shirt.

"We have several attacking options within our squad for the remaining dozen or so games of the season after Jermain departs and we shall keep our options under review. We also have a goal threat from players in other areas of the pitch including having wide players and attacking midfielders who will enable us to vary our shape when required."

As part of the deal, Spurs will play a friendly against Toronto on July 23 as part of their preseason tour, while they have agreed an advertising and marketing rights deal with TFC owners Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).

Meanwhile, the Mirror is reporting that QPR boss Harry Redknapp is plotting to loan Defoe until he makes his move across the Atlantic.

The paper says Redknapp wants to be reunited with the player he previously managed at West Ham, Portsmouth and Spurs and will offer the striker regular first-team action with his Championship promotion chasers ahead of the MLS season.

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