Plata and Toronto FC have “agreed to terms” on new multi-year deal By Charles Posted on January 11, 2012 Comments Off on Plata and Toronto FC have “agreed to terms” on new multi-year deal 0 621 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Toronto FC announced Wednesday that it “has agreed to terms” with Ecuadorean Joao Plata on a new multi-year deal. Selected in the fourth round of last year’s draft — because many teams were scared off by Plata’s five-foot-two frame — the LDU Quito product enjoyed a productive first season with TFC, and became a fan favourite. His maestro performance, though, came in arguably Toronto FC’s most important win in its short franchise history — the 3-0 triumph over FC Dallas that guaranteed the Reds’ progression into the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League. Plata set up Danny Koevermans’ opening goal and then finished the hosts off with two wonderful goals of his own. But the wording of Toronto FC’s press release is important. “Agreed to terms” was used instead of “signed.” There is a difference. This likely means the Reds are still working on getting Plata transferred from LDU Quito to MLS; he was an on-loan player last season. Teams need to agree to terms on a contract with a player before a transfer can be done. But there’s no reason to believe that anything will scupper a deal; the Reds have officially announced an agreement on a contract and have pledged that Plata will be in a Reds jersey when the team faces the Los Angeles Galaxy March 7 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final. Getting Plata in the fold also gives TFC a little more flexibility when it comes to possibly making a deal using either of its two first-round picks in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft. “We are very happy to get this deal completed and keep Plata at our club,” said Toronto FC Head Coach & Technical Director, Aron Winter, in the release issued by TFC. “Plata had a great year with us in 2011. He made a strong contribution on the pitch. “Re-signing Plata was a high priority for our club during the offseason. I have to compliment everyone involved for making this a reality. Plata wanted to remain in Toronto and we wanted to keep him. We know our fans will be happy with this announcement.” RELATED: Plata leads Toronto FC to historic CCL triumph over FC Dallas (CLICK) TFC gets a gift from Ecuador: Joao Plata comes back early (CLICK)