TFC adds new defender, will announce training-ground plans By Steven Sandor Posted on April 15, 2011 1 0 718 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Toronto FC has a new defender, and plans for a new training facility. The club will hold a press conference Monday where it will unveil plans on a new training facility for the club and TFC Academy. For the past four years, Toronto FC did most of its training at home on at the Pine Glen Soccer Centre in Oakville and at an artificial-turf field at Cherry Beach on Toronto’s east side. As well, Toronto FC announced a loan deal that will bring former Manchester United prospect Richard Eckersley to Canada from Burnley. The deal keeps Eckersley, who has made only three appearances with Burnley since signing with the club in 2003, with Toronto FC until January, 2012. Richard Eckersley Eckersley is currently in the midst of a four-year deal with Burnley, but has been loaned out several times, including a stint at Plymouth Argyle, where he played for current Toronto FC Director of Player Development Paul Mariner. “Richard is a good player, he comes from Manchester United’s youth program,” said coach and technical directory Aron Winter in a release issued by Toronto FC. “We are rebuilding our defence and the season is very long so we’re happy to add another right back. Paul knows Richard very well and I am convinced he can fit into our system.”
