January 31, 2007 Carl Robinson may join Toronto FC (from Canadian Press)
Welsh midfielder could join Toronto FC
Jan 31, 2007 01:51 PM
Neil Davidson
Canadian Press
Veteran Welsh midfielder Carl Robinson appears to be the next piece of the Toronto FC puzzle.
The expansion MLS team has scheduled a news conference for Thursday regarding a player signing and a sponsorship deal.
Norwich City manager Peter Grant, meanwhile, told a news conference Wednesday in England that the 30-year-old Robinson had been given permission to speak to Toronto.
Robinson joined Norwich in the English Football Championship, one tier below the Premiership, from Sunderland for 50,000 pounds ($115,670 Canadian) in January 2006 after a loan spell. He has also had stints with Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Wolves, Walsall, Sheffield United and Rotherham.
He made 48 appearances for Norwich, scoring twice. A versatile player, he slotted in at centre back recently during a recent FA Cup game against Blackpool to fill an injury void.
Robinson made his debut for Wales in 1999 against Belarus. He has 35 caps and one goal for the Welsh.
Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston has previously talked of having his eye on a veteran international. Plus Toronto FC midfielder Jim Brennan, a Toronto native, also played at Norwich.
Toronto FC opens camp Thursday at the indoor Ontario Soccer Centre just north of the airport. The team will also train in Florida and is slated to take part in a pre-season tournament in South Carolina before kicking off the season April 7 in Carson, Calif., against Chivas USA.
Johnston has more work to do on his roster and says he has available dollars to bring in more talent.
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