Ciman added for Impact on back line
Toronto FC, which conceded a franchise-worst 64 goals last season, moved to bolster its defence on Thursday by acquiring veteran Belgian international centre back Laurent Ciman.
To get the former MLS Defender of the Year, Toronto sent a second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft to FC Cincinnati to move up one spot to the top of the allocation ranking.
Ciman, who turns 34 in August, played most recently played for FC Dijon in France’s Ligue 1. He spent 2015 through 2018 in MLS with the Montreal Impact and Los Angeles FC. He was and named MLS Defender of the Year and to the MLS Best XI in 2015.
“We are excited to add a player with Laurent’s vast experience,” Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement. “This is a player who has been a captain of two MLS teams, an all-star and the defender of the year.
“He is an excellent passer, an organizer in the back and a passionate, fiery competitor. We look forward to him joining our club immediately and becoming an important part of our group.”
In a social media posting, Ciman thanked Dijon for making the move possible.
“Grateful to be back in (Canada), a place we call home! Excited about this new chapter with @torontofc,” he added.
Ciman will join veteran Drew Moor, who will be 35 in January, at the heart of the Toronto defence. Injuries limited Moor to just eight MLS games in 2018.
The two veterans will be supported by Chris Mavinga, Eriq Zavaleta, Nick Hagglund, Gregory van der Wiel, Justin Mor- row, Ashtone Morgan and Brazil’s Auro in the backline. Toronto went from MLS Cup winner in 2017 to 19th overall and out of the playoffs in 2018.
Ciman should add stability to the TFC defence in a 2019 season that, barring new deals, is the last under the contracts of designated players Michael Bradley, Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
Toronto set the stage for the Ciman acquisition earlier in December when it moved to No. 2 in the allocation ranking order in a deal that sent San Jose $75,000 (U.S.) in general allocation money, $75,000 in targeted allocation money and the No. 6 allocation spot.