Toronto FC added another Canadian international to their ranks on Wednesday, as they announced the signing of 28-year-old forward Tosaint Ricketts.
Ricketts, who has trained with TFC in recent weeks, last played for Turkish second-division club Boluspor Kulubu. He scored one goal in 15 appearances before leaving the club earlier this year reportedly due to a dispute over unpaid wages.
The Edmonton native has 12 goals in 50 career caps with the Canadian national team. Ricketts started Canada’s last two matches, playing 71 minutes in their 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan on June 3 before going 68 minutes in their 2-1 win over Uzbekistan on June 7.
“We are pleased to add another Canadian international with valuable experience for both club and country,” Toronto FC GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement released by the club. “Tosaint has trained with the team and has fit in well with the group. We are pleased to get this deal finalized and have him available for selection this weekend.”
Ricketts will join a high-powered TFC forward corps that includes Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Jordan Hamilton and Tsubasa Endoh, among others.
A University of Wisconsin-Green Bay product, Ricketts spent all of his career in Europe before signing with TFC on Wednesday. He turned pro in 2009 with Finnish club Myllykosken Pallo, played the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons with Romanian club Politehnica Timisoara and spent the 2012-13 campaign in Norway with Valerenga and Sandnes Ulf.
He moved to Turkey in September 2013, when he joined second-division club Bucaspor. He had the most productive season of his career with the club, scoring seven goals in 25 appearances before moving to Israeli side Hapoel Haifa for the 2014-15 season, then eventually returning to Turkey with Boluspor last August.
