Michael Bradley to join Toronto FC
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[/one_fourth]Former Aston Villa midfielder Michael Bradley is close to a move to Toronto FC from current club Roma and the player’s agent Alberto Faccini has told TMW: “We are very close to define the transfer. Michael made a lifestyle choice and will go in a league where he is much appreciated. There were also many Italian and European teams which wanted him, but Michael made a different choice.”
In a interview with Italian radio station Radio Radio, Faccini also confirmed: “Michael made this choice and Toronto, in just two days, has closed the deal. There is a very important project for him at Toronto, which made an investment that is one of the most expensive in recent years.”
Toronto FC are looking to change the landscape of the MLS, general manager Tim Bezbatchenko calling it a ‘revolution’ and they want to market themselves as being the top club in the league and the best place to play football in North America. The move should see Bradley linking up with Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe as the England international is set to seal his move to the MLS early next week. The Reds also announced today that former league MVP Dwayne De Rosario has joined them.
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Capped 82 times for the USA, Bradley has played for the MetroStars in MLS, Heerenveen in the Holland, Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany, Aston Villa in England and Chievo Verona and Roma in Italy. He has found his game time limited with Roma this season, making only 5 starts in the Serie A this season. Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan’s arrival at the Stadio Olimpico has seen Bradley further fall down the pecking order at Roma.
With the World Cup Finals in Brazil just around the corner, Bradley is keen to get some first team action and Toronto FC can guarantee him that. After their Italian Cup win over Sampdoria on Thursday, Roma coach Rudi Garcia confirmed: “Bradley wanted to go, we couldn’t keep the player. He did very well with me in these months but I understand he wants to play more.”
Italian media reports suggest that Roma have accepted an offer of €7m for Bradley from the Major League Soccer club and Bradley is poised to sign a contract in the five to six-year range, thought to be worth $6.5m a year.