Juan Toja move finally done
By BRIAN LEWIS
Colombian midfielder Juan Toja has completed his long-rumored transfer from FC Dallas to Romanian club FC Steaua Bucuresti.
“I want to thank FC Dallas for giving me the opportunity to play here, and giving me the opportunity to live my dream of playing in Europe. I am very excited for this opportunity,’’ Toja said in a statement. “I want to thank my teammates, and wish them nothing but the best for this year and beyond. I also want to thank all the fans for all of their support.’’
Toja joined FC Dallas from River Plate in February 2007. In his MLS debut campaign he scored six goals in 27 regular-season games and was voted Dallas’ MVP. Granted, he’s been an all-star in both of his years in the league, but he hasn’t had the same impact this season, mustering just two goals and two assists in 16 tilts.
“We wish Juan all the best in Europe and thank him for his contribution to FC Dallas, on and off the field. Juan is a special player who will have success wherever he plays,’’ Dallas GM Michael Hitchcock said in a release. “That said, we’re confident that we have a number of good young players who are ready to step up and fill the shoes that Juan is leaving.”
This deal just furthers what I’ve been telling all those fans that cry and whine about MLS being a selling league. I say great; that’s a sign of progress. Holland, Portugal, Brazil and until recently, France were all clear selling league; MLS should be so lucky as to be as good as any of those leagues someday.
Toja played his first season on loan, and MLS forked over $400,000 this past winter to buy his rights. After the league rejected the Romanian club’s original $600,000 bid, I can only assume the accepted bid was higher. You find me an investment that does better than that in a year-and-a-half, and I’ll sign up.
As far as Toja, he actually landed in a pretty good spot. (I mean professionally; I’ve never been to Bucharest). Steaua just drilled Roma 3-1 in a friendly, and will face Galatasaray in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champion’s League. The first leg will be Aug. 12 -13, and the second on Aug. 26-27.