Sources close to the situation have told us that Toronto FC striker Gilberto will be sold to the Brazilian side CR Vasco da Gama early this week.
Update 2/20: Toronto FC has confirmed my report back on January 27 that Gilberto was headed to CR Vasco da Gama. TFC has loaned him to Vasco.
Update 2/10: Vasco and Toronto FC working on a loan deal after Gilberto's training with the Brazilian club has ended today. There are rumors swirling that TFC received a trade offer from Montreal for Gilberto, but Gilberto did not want to see the move happen and wants to remain with Vasco. The loan deal should be done by Friday at the very latest.
Update 2/2: Sources have confirmed that the deal is done and will be announced soon that Gilberto has been sold to Brazilian side, CR Vasco da Gama. With the recent news of Sebastian Giovinco joining the club immediately, Toronto FC has pushed to get the deal done sooner rather than later.
Original Story 1/27
It had been rumored ever since the signing of DP players Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco this month that Giberto would be the odd man out because of the current designated player rules in the MLS under the old collective bargaining agreement. Each team is allotted three designated players on their roster and since TFC had four (Bradley, Altidore, Giovinco, and Gilberto), someone had to go. Multiple MLS teams had sent offers in to Toronto in search of the striker that was described as readily available, but it was none of those sides that won the sweepstakes for Gilberto's services.
A news release by the team Sunday stated that Gilberto would not be joining up with the team yesterday for the start of preseason training at the Kia Training Grounds. He instead would remain in Brazil because of issues with the roster rules. The team last Sunday began looking for training options for him and they have an agreement in place for him to train with Vasco, which began early last week.
A news release by the team Sunday stated that Gilberto would not be joining up with the team yesterday for the start of preseason training at the Kia Training Grounds. He instead would remain in Brazil because of issues with the roster rules. The team last Sunday began looking for training options for him and they have an agreement in place for him to train with Vasco, which began early last week.
Gilberto, the 12th leading scorer in the history of the club, leaves the club just under 14 months after being the first of three DP signings prior to the 2014 season along with Michael Bradley and now Sunderland striker, Jermain Defoe. Prior to Toronto FC, Gilberto came from the club Internacional, but he had two loan spells during his three years with the club. In 28 matches for the Reds including 21 starts, Gilberto registered 7 goals and 5 assists. All of his goals began after a solid performance including his first goal with Toronto against NYRB in late June. From the games they did play together, Gilberto and Defoe never really materialized into the lethal tandem most thought they would be. Injuries and setbacks were a main reason behind this as well.
We will provide you more information as it becomes available.
We will provide you more information as it becomes available.
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