Djordje Mihailovic keen to start new glory period at Toronto FC
"Winning trophies and getting back to the top is ultimately what persuaded me [to come] here," TFC's new designated player said.
Djordje Mihailovic must have had plenty of options.
As one of the best creative midfielders in MLS who can also score goals, Mihailovic could’ve written his own ticket and gone almost anywhere he wanted across the league after requesting a move away from the Colorado Rapids earlier this summer. Any number of high-profile teams would’ve queued up to have a chance at landing the U.S. international.
Yet, it was Toronto FC who earlier this week acquired Mihailovic via a transfer from the Rapids for $8 million US and up to $1 million in conditional cash if certain performance-based metrics are met. Colorado also retains a sell-on percentage if the player is traded or transferred as part of what will go down as one of the biggest roster transactions in MLS during this year's secondary transfer window.
One obvious question comes to mind: Why would Mihailovic, still only 26 and with his best years ahead of him, decide to join TFC, a team that sits near the bottom of the Supporters’ Shield table and looks poised to miss the playoffs for a fifth straight year?
