Another Canadian joins TFC
- by Ridge Mahoney @ridgemax, Feb 25, 2009
Another player from that mold, whose long-anticipated move brings him north after a long detour, made it official this week when defender Adrian Serioux went north from FC Dallas in exchange for TFC's first-round pick in the 2010 SuperDraft pick and allocation money.
Serioux, 29, was selected by Toronto FC in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft, and was moved that same day in a trade that brought Ronnie O'Brien to TFC. Serioux has played for Houston as well as Dallas in both midfield and the back line.
His acquisition continues the tweaks and changes wrought by Coach John Carver and manager, director of soccer Mo Johnston in an effort to reach the playoffs for the first time. Already on board is attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, who was acquired from Houston in exchange for allocation money, "more than $200,000" according to a source. TFC is thought to have sent $125,000 to FCD in the Serioux deal. The club has also signed Argentine forward Pablo Vitti and in the SuperDraft claimed Canada U-23 defender Kyle Hall as well as American midfielder Sam Cronin.
Like De Rosario, Serioux is a local product, raised near Toronto in Scarborough.
"This is another great signing for our team," said Johnston. "Adrian is a very strong defender plus we're adding another quality Canadian player to our roster. We're excited to get him in here and have him start working out with the rest of the team."
During his two seasons with Dallas Serioux played 34 games (all starts) didn't score a goal, and registered four assists, all of them in 2008. In 2006 with Houston, he started in 15 of 20 games and scored one goal during the regular season, and played in all four postseason games as Houston won MLS Cup.
Serioux started his pro career in 2001 with the A-League Toronto Lynx, after playing one year of college ball at the University of New Haven, and in 2004 went to Millwall on a two-year contract. Injuries marred his play in England and when his mother fell seriously ill he left in late 2006 to sign with MLS.
Serioux debuted for Canada against Guatemala in 2004 and has 19 senior caps.
