Potential Toronto FC target Damien Perquis was released from his contract with La Liga side Real Betis on Wednesday, clearing the way for the 30-year-old Polish international to move to a new club on a free transfer.
The Toronto Sun reported earlier this month that TFC is considering signing Perquis, a French-born center back who spent most of his career in Ligue 1 before moving to Betis in 2012. He would bring a proven veteran presence to TFC’s untested backline, which lost academy product Doneil Henry this offseason and currently features just one center back – Steven Caldwell – with more than one year of professional experience.
Toronto on Wednesday gained allocation money that could potentially be used for a new signing, when they sent midfielderKyle Bekkerto FC Dallas.
Toronto head coach Greg Vanney told the Sun on January 9 that the club is interested in Perquis, who has appeared 12 times for Poland since receiving citizenship late in 2011.
“We’ve watched him and I’ve played against him,” said Vanney, who lined up at center back on both sides of the Atlantic during his long playing career. “He’s a guy we’ve kept interest in and have watched him progress while he has been there. But we’ve put out interest in a number of players.
“There’s still a long process that needs to go on for that to be finalized.”
