Toronto FC signs Dutch international defender Gregory van der Wiel
TORONTO — MLS champion Toronto FC has strengthened its right side by signing Dutch international defender Gregory van der Wiel from Italy’s Cagliari.
The 29-year-old excelled at Ajax and Paris Saint-Germain, but has seen limited action since moving to Turkey’s Fenerbahce in 2016 and Cagliari in 2017.
Van der Wiel fills a void left by the free-agent departure of Steven Beitashour to Los Angeles FC, although Toronto does have Liechtenstein international Nico Hasler. Toronto also lost wingback Raheem Edwards, now with Montreal, during the off-season.
After six months with a “smaller team” in Italy, van der Wiel said he was happy to be with a Toronto team that is always looking to add to its trophy case — like Ajax and PSG.