Todd Dunivant, right, was held back by an ankle injury last season. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Toronto FC cleared some salary cap space Tuesday by trading defender Todd Dunivant to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

In return, Toronto received an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

Dunivant, 28, joined Toronto FC in a trade with the New York Red Bulls in 2007, and appeared in 27 games during his two seasons with the Canadian club.

The University of Stanford product, who was a first-round pick (sixth overall) of the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2003 MLS draft, played in just nine games last season due to an ankle injury.

The move not only brings in more allocation money for Toronto FC, but it also allows the club to shed Dunivant's salary (he earned $104,000 US last season) and gain valuable space under the salary cap so they can sign new players.

"We are sad to see him go," Toronto general manager Mo Johnston. "As we continue to build a team, it's important this trade went through, because we're getting ready to add more players. It's great for Todd, he's going home in a sense, and it's good for us, too."

On Monday, Toronto coach John Carver said he hopes to sign at least one central defender — possibly two — by the start of the regular season in March. Carver also confirmed that Johnston is still trying to work out a deal with Argentine club Independiente for 23-year-old forward Pablo Vitti.

This will be Dunivant's second stint with the Galaxy. He was a regular starter for Los Angeles when it won the MLS Cup in 2005 before being traded to the New York a year later.

Dunivant scored three goals in 143 regular-season and playoff games in MLS since making his league debut with San Jose in 2003.