Bas Ent’s bags are packed, waiting on TFC to confirm three-year deal

Bas Ent

Bas Ent’s bags are literally packed. The 23-year-old Dutch winger is in the Netherlands at the moment waiting to hear from Toronto FC.

Ent was offered a three-year deal by the MLS club, though he has yet to officially sign a contract.

“It’s not all settled,” says Ent, who played over the winter with Dutch side, Katwijk. “I’m just waiting for that moment to sign with TFC.”

Ent caught the eye of TFC officials last summer while playing for the Dayton Dutch Lions, then of the USL’s Premier Development League. The Lions were in town to play the Toronto Lynx and Ent’s play earned him a short trial with TFC, including a 45-minute spell in a friendly against EPL side Bolton Wanderers at BMO Stadium. Ent quickly fell in love with the passionate soccer city.

“It was awesome,” Ent says of the Ontario capital. “We played there with the Dutch Lions against the Lynx and that night, we went into the city and it was just great. It was so big and so nice and from that moment on, I felt like I really wanted to play there. It was like some kind of dream. I was happy I could go on trial.”

If Ent does sign, the Lions, who have moved up to the USL Pro division for the upcoming 2011 season, will receive compensation. DDL FC co-owner Mike Mossel says that might not necessarily be a financial agreement but perhaps come in the form of a partnership between the clubs. He reiterated that he in no way wants to stand in the way of Ent’s opportunity so assuming TFC still want the speedy winger, an agreement will be reached. But Mossel knows nothing is for certain and he told Ent as a much, citing a story about the Lions other owner Erik Tammer.

“Erik went to Portugal once where somebody bought him and he gave up everything in Holland,” says Mossel. “When he got to Portugal, the coaches came up to him on the field and said, ‘Who is this guy?’ Erik says, ‘I’m your new forward,’ and he said ‘Hell no.’”

There is a link between the Lions and TFC’s new coach/technical director and Dutch legend Aron Winter. Tammer, former DDL coach Sonny Silooy and Winter all played on the same Ajax side 20 years ago. The Lions implemented a traditional Dutch 4-3-3 formation in the PDL and the proximity (seven-hour drive from Dayton to Toronto) might make for a natural partnership.

“We would like to sit down with Aron and see what his plans are and if we can fit in there,” says Mossel.

“He’s a very big guy in Holland, a great career,” adds Ent.

If Ent does end up in Toronto, he might see a familiar face. DDL teammate Evan Schwartz could get a shot at making TFC in the upcoming preseason. According to Mossel, the 23-year-old right back from Colorado Springs is expected to participate in the first few days of the MLS pre-season. Schwartz has recovered from a knee injury he suffered late in the PDL season and Mossel loves the defender’s speed and hunger.

“Evan has the speed to recover and he also used it up front overlapping,” says Mossel. “That’s a big asset for a guy in the back. He did that well with Bas on the right side. “He also has a great mentality. He wants to win. He pushes it 100 per cent and he never complains about injuries or pain. Evan is very ambitious. He wants to play at the highest level.”