Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Toronto FC continued its impressive offseason overhaul on Friday by acquiring goalkeeper Julio Cesar on loan from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Cesar becomes the latest big-name player to join TFC along with U.S. international midfielder Michael Bradley and England international forward Jermain Defoe.
"Adding a player of Julio Cesar's experience and ability only strengthens our club both in the short and long term," general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement. "We are committed to creating a culture of winning at TFC, and there are few people in the world of soccer with a proven track record of consistently getting results that Julio has. We are very excited to bring him to Toronto FC."
Cesar, 34, has not featured in a league match for QPR this season and is in search of consistent playing time ahead of this summer's World Cup in Brazil. He started and went the distance in a 4-0 FA Cup loss to Everton in January, but prior to that had not played in a game in any competition since a 2-0 defeat to the Toffees back in April 2013.
The Duque de Caxias, Brazil native arrives in Toronto with an impressive resume. He has 77 caps for his country, won the 2009 Confederations Cup and was the starter at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He has also played for some notable clubs during his career. He began his professional career with Brazilian side Flamengo before moving to Inter Milan in 2005. After a seven-year stay, which included a Champions League title, Queens Park Rangers signed the 6-foot-1 goalkeeper as part of their attempt to rise to prosperity in the English Premier League.
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