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Toronto FC: Salcedo-Soteldo swap deal, Giovinco update and more

By Paul Taylor

BMO FIELD, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA - 2018/05/25: General view at the BMO Field during 2018 MLS Regular Season match between Toronto FC (Canada) and FC Dallas (USA) at BMO Field (Score 0:1). (Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
BMO FIELD, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA - 2018/05/25: General view at the BMO Field during 2018 MLS Regular Season match between Toronto FC (Canada) and FC Dallas (USA) at BMO Field (Score 0:1). (Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Toronto FC
Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Yeferson Soteldo (30) looks on against FC Cincinnati at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Moving Soteldo was necessary, but doesn’t eradicate every issue

The second reason the Salcedo-Soteldo swap deal was a pressing move, was for the benefit of club culture and rapport. Soteldo’s presence was apparently a headache for the Reds.

The 24-year-old enjoyed decent success on the pitch, highlighted by his team-leading 10 assists. However, it was an open secret that he never settled in the dressing room or Southern Ontario in general.

There is some comparison to Jermain Defoe’s time in Toronto, albeit there was never any indication the England international was perceived as an issue in the dressing room. Regardless, Soteldo leaves after just nine months with the club.

It is worth noting though that the Venezuelan international’s departure doesn’t rid TFC of all their issues. As per the communications team, Salcedo will join the club as a Designated Player (DP) through 2024 with a 2025 option.

In other words, Toronto FC still need to free up a DP slot before Insigne’s arrival in July. With Alejandro Pozuelo expected to remain, attention now turns to Jozy Altidore.

There has been ongoing speculation about Altidore’s future, with his time in Southern Ontario effectively over. TFC and the forward are apparently in talks to agree a deal to buy out his contract.

It is telling that Altidore was not included when the Reds announced their preseason roster. One additional aspect to consider is that Toronto FC is allowed to buy out one contract during the off-season, without it counting against the salary cap.

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