Busy international schedule could limit O’Dea’s time with TFC

New Toronto FC signing Darren O’Dea will be piling up the frequent-flyer miles over the next few weeks. TFC announced the signing of the former Celtic centre back on Friday. In an interview with Ireland’s Evening Herald (CLICK HERE), he said that he expects to arrive in Toronto on Sunday, and be available for the Aug. 11 date at Columbus. But, right after that game, he will fly back to Europe to join the Irish squad for the Aug. 15 friendly against Serbia, which will rule him out for TFC’s match against Portland that night. And, with the long trip back from Europe, it would be really something to see him play in TFC’s Aug. 18 match against Sporting Kansas City. Basically, for the next month, O’Dea won’t be around all that much. “No matter what happens, once I am in the squad and fit I will be on a plane over to Ireland for the games. My Ireland career is so important to me and it’s not something I want to give up on in any way,” O’Dea was quoted in the Evening Herald. And, if, as expected, he makes coach Giovanni Trapattoni’s Irish squad for World Cup qualifying, he could be missing some September dates as well. There are some holes in the MLS schedule to allow for qualifying, but O’Dea’s availability might depend on how early the Irish team would need him on its side of the Atlantic ahead for its pre-WC Qualifying camp. O’Dea, 25, was with Celtic, but has been loaned out to Reading, Ipswich Town and Leeds United over the past three seasons. He was named to the Irish Euro 2012 squad that went winless, but didn’t feature in the matches. He has 14 caps for Ireland. “Darren addresses our need for an experienced, no nonsense central defender,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations Paul Mariner in a release issued by the club. “Darren has great leadership abilities and his experience, both for club and country, will be a welcomed addition to our club and for our young players. We are so pleased to bring him to Toronto.” RELATED: TFC scores 5 in CCL opener, but the game wasn’t seen by many (CLICK) Hall signs on to become TFC’s No. 2 keeper (CLICK)