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Toronto FC sign Canadian international

ByAnthony Gallo|
Jul 8, 2015; Carson, CA, USA; Canada midfielder Tosaint Ricketts (9) attempts a shot defended by El Salvador defender Alexander Larin (13) during the first half of CONCACAF Gold Cup group play at Stub Hub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2015; Carson, CA, USA; Canada midfielder Tosaint Ricketts (9) attempts a shot defended by El Salvador defender Alexander Larin (13) during the first half of CONCACAF Gold Cup group play at Stub Hub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto FC have made a move for a Canadian international striker.

After losing 2-1 to a nine man San Jose Earthquakes team this past weekend, Toronto FC needed to shake things up. They are already without two of their designated players and their strong Canadian international midfielder Will Johnson. They need to add more experience and depth in the attacking department, and they did so with the signing of Canadian international, Tosaint Ricketts.

Ricketts last played in the Turkish 1.Lig (second division) for Boluspor Kulübü. He made 15 appearances, and six starts last season, scoring once. He has been a well traveled player to say the least. He started his career in Finland with Myllykosken Pallo −47. He then made stops in Romania, Norway and Israel before making the move to Turkey. His best season was probably with Turkish second division side Bucaspor Kulübü in 2013, where he scored seven goals in 25 matches.

The signing of Ricketts is important for a TFC team that has had some difficulty scoring as of late, finding the back of the net seven times in their last six games, which isn’t bad, but could be much better considering they have reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco.

TFC General Manager, Tim Bezbatchenko, mentioned to the media that Ricketts could feature in their next match this Saturday against D.C. United. “Tosaint has trained with the team and has fit in well within the group. We are pleased to get this deal finalized and have him available for selection this weekend.”

Ricketts has made 50 appearances for the Canadian national team, scoring 12 goals in the process. He will be the ninth Canadian player on TFC’s roster, and the club still has roster space to add two more players.

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Ricketts is a player that can play either as a striker or a right winger, something TFC desperately need if they want to stay in the playoff picture.

With homegrown talent Jordan Hamilton lighting it up, and striker Jozy Altidore likely coming back soon, that could mean Ricketts will be deployed on the wing, providing plays to TFC’s strike force.

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