TORONTO — In search of depth up front, Toronto FC acquired English striker Luke Moore from the Colorado Rapids on Thursday in exchange for defender Gale Agbossoumonde.
With England’s Jermain Defoe possibly headed to the World Cup and reserve forward Bright Dike a long-term casualty due to an Achilles injury, Toronto needed help for Brazil’s Gilberto with Monday’s MLS transfer deadline looming.
Toronto also has forwards Andrew Wiedeman and teenager Jordan Hamilton, currently on loan to the Wilmington Hammerheads. Attacking midfielders Dwayne De Rosario, Issey Nakajima-Farran and Brazil’s Jackson are also an attacking option.
Toronto (3-4-0) has just seven goals in seven games, with Defoe accounting for three of them. That’s tied with Los Angeles and Montreal as the lowest scoring output in the league.
Agbossoumonde, 22, had fallen down the defensive pecking order with Steven Caldwell, Doneil Henry, Bradley Orr and rookie Nick Hagglund preferred ahead of him.
“With our current depth in defence we felt that the opportunity to acquire an attacking player like Luke Moore was the right decision to make at this time for the club as we approach the World Cup break,” Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement. “With Luke’s experience, he will be a welcomed addition to our squad and provide more options for us up front. We’d like to thank Gale for all of his contributions both on and off the pitch and wish him well in Colorado.”
Moore was acquired earlier this season by Colorado from Chivas USA.
The 28-year-old made six appearances, with two starts and no goals, for Chivas. He arrived in the MLS during the off-season from Turkey’s Sanica Boru Elazigspor.
Moore began his career in England with Aston Villa in 2003, and later was part of Swansea’s rise to the Premier League in 2011.
Agbossoumonde, 22, was originally acquired on Dec. 20, 2012 through a weighted lottery at MLS headquarters. In two seasons, the American defender made 13 appearances, including 12 starts.
Paul Bravo, Colorado’s vice-president of soccer operations, called Agbossoumonde “a talented young player who can add depth to our backline.”
