Former TFC striker Jermain Defoe hangs up his cleats

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No more on-field foes for Jermain Defoe.

The former Toronto FC striker and ex-England international has retired, making the announcement on Thursday via his Twitter account. Defoe hangs up the cleats as the ninth-highest goal-scorer in Premier League history.

“I made my professional debut at 17 years old in 1999, and I feel now is the right time to bow out,” Defoe said. “I have had an incredible journey and have met some amazing people in the game.”

England great Harry Kane, Defoe’s former teammate, tweeted: “Top striker, top bloke and someone who gave me some great advice in my early career as well as his number 18 shirt! Happy retirement.”

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Defoe leaves the game as a player at 39.

Defoe joined TFC from Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 (remember the annoying ‘It’s A Bloody Big Deal’ marketing campaign?) and made 21 total appearances for the Reds, scoring 12 goals, before returning to the English Premier League.

Defoe lasted only one season in Toronto as he struggled with injuries and homesickness. I have pushed to rejoin the Premier League and was transferred to Sunderland. He was booed by the Toronto faithful in 2015 when Sunderland beat Toronto FC 2-1 in an international friendly at BMO Field, though Defoe got his revenge by scoring both Sunderland goals.

One of the most interesting moments during his career with the Reds came in a match on June 27 against the New York Red Bulls when Toronto won a free-kick just outside the box and Defoe wanted teammate Gilberto to hand over the ball so he could take the kick. But the Brazilian wasn’t having it, and Defoe slapped the ball out of Gilberto’s hands. As Gilberto prepared to take the shot, Defoe walked away angry, livid and cursing.

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All was forgiven, however, after Gilberto buried the shot under the cross-bar and into the goal for his first MLS strike — one of the best free kicks in TFC history.

Defoe and Gilberto instantly made up and walked down the field, arms draped over each other’s shoulders.

A native of Beckton, England, Defoe began his 23-year pro career with West Ham United in 1999 with stops at AFC Bournemouth, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Toronto and Rangers before returning to Sunderland this season.

INSIGNE IN STARTING XI AS ITALY ELIMINATED

Italian international Lorenzo Insigne, who will join TFC in July on a four-year deal, was in the starting XI for the Azzurri in a World Cup qualifying match against North Macedonia on Thursday at Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo and was substituted out in the 64th minute for Giacomo Raspadori.

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Ultimately, despite Italy dominating the match, North Macedonia scored in the 92nd minute on a long strike by Aleksandar Trajkovski, shockingly eliminating Italy from the 2022 World Cup — the second consecutive time Italy does not qualify for football’s greatest event after missing out on Russia 2018 .

GAVRAN AND WALKES SIGN WITH TFCII

Toronto FC II has signed goalkeeper Luka Gavran and forward Reshaun Walkes to MLS NEXT Pro contracts.

“Luka has come off a fantastic season with St. John’s University and after continuing this run of form into preseason with solid performances, we think he will be an integral part of this group, both on and off the pitch,” TFC II head coach Gianni Cimini said. “Reshaun will provide an attacking threat with his speed and willingness to run in behind defenders.”

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Gavran, 21, was selected 31st overall (second round) by TFC in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of St. John’s University. Born in Hamilton, Ont., Gavran spent the past four seasons with St. John’s, where he made 48 appearances and registered 121 saves.

In his junior year, he was named to the US Soccer coaches all-America third team, becoming St. John’s first player to earn the honors since 2008. He also became the third player in program history to be named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year , earning the award in 2021 after going 11-6-3 with 12 shutouts.

Walkes, 22, was selected 59th overall (third round) by TFC in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. Born in Brampton, Walkes spent the past two seasons with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley after starting his college career at Lewis and Clark.

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With the Cowboys, he recorded 14 goals and seven assists in 25 appearances through two seasons and was named to the all-Western Athletic Conference Second Team after each season. Walkes also helped the Des Moines Menace win the USL League Two regular season and playoff titles in 2021, scoring one goal in 13 appearances for the Menace.

TFCII LOAN ‘KEEPER VAIKLA TO EDMONTON

TFCII has sent goalkeeper Andreas Vaikla on loan to FC Edmonton of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) through December 2022.

Vaikla, 25, made 13 appearances for TFC II during the 2021 USL League One regular season, where he made 44 saves and registered two clean sheets.

Vaikla originally joined TFC II on May 18, 2021, and made his debut with the Young Reds on May 29 against North Texas SC.

Prior to joining the Young Reds, I have spent time with Kristiansund BK in Norway, IFK Mariehamn in Finland, IFK Norrköping in Sweden and JK Narva Trans in Estonia.

Vaikla’s career in Europe began with the West Bromwich Albion Academy in England in 2013, after playing youth soccer for North Scarborough Soccer Club in Ontario.

Internationally, Born in Toronto to Estonian parents, Vaikla has three caps with the Estonian senior national team including a clean sheet on his debut in June 2016. He has also represented Estonia at the Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under -21 levels.