Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston was searching for a veteran presence for his team, and it appears he may have found it.
The expansion MLS franchise announced the signing of Welsh midfielder Carl Robinson and dealt midfielder Rod Dyachenko for a draft pick on Thursday — the same day the team opened its inaugural training camp.
Toronto FC head coach Mo Johnston announced the addition of veteran midfielder Carl Robinson on Thursday.
(Frank Gunn/ Canadian Press)
"He's a quality guy, first and foremost," Johnston said of Robinson. "He's got leadership qualities, and he's a very good passer.
"He makes things happen in the midfield. He'll keep movement going, coming from the defence. The transition in our game will go through him."
Norwich City manager Peter Grant fuelled speculation about the signing recently when he revealed that 30-year-old Robinson had been given permission to speak to Toronto.
"I came over 10 days ago and was sold right away," Robinson said. "It's a fantastic city, fantastic people.
"I made up my mind straight away. Then it was just a matter of getting myself out of my current club situation."
Robinson had been with Norwich in the English Football Championship, one tier below the Premiership, since January 2006. He appeared in 48 games and scored two goals.
He has also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Wolves, Walsall, Sheffield United and Rotherham.
"I've always wanted to play in my career," Robinson said. "That's why I've moved from here to there.
"This opportunity came up and it was an opportunity I didn't want to turn down, so I made it happen for me."
The veteran is known for his versatility, recently filling an injury void by playing centre back in an FA game against Blackpool.
Won't be last move
Shortly after adding a midfielder to its roster, Toronto FC made a move to part with another one.
Dyachenko was dealt to D.C. United in exchange for United's first round MLS Superdraft pick in 2008. Dyachenko, 23, was originally acquired in Major League Soccer's expansion draft.
The midfielder spent the 2006 season in Washington, making four starts. He was the only United player to appear in all of the team's reserve matches, scoring two goals and adding five assists.
Thursday's transactions likely won't be Toronto's last before the season starts on April 7. Johnston has said he does have more funds at his disposal to improve the club's roster.
The team also made a major announcement as it unveiled Carlsberg as a new corporate sponsor.
Toronto FC opened its training camp on Thursday at the indoor Ontario Soccer Centre just north of Toronto's Pearson airport.
The team will also train in Florida and is slated to take part in a pre-season tournament in South Carolina before kicking off the season in Carson, Calif., against Chivas USA.
With files from the Associated Press
