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Toronto FC's Johann Smith On Croatian Trial
Toronto FC midfielder Johann Smith is on trial with Croatia's NK Rijeka as he eyes a move back to Europe, a league source tells Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy.
Jan 17, 2009 5:32:39 PM
Toronto FC midfielder Johann Smith is currently on trial with Croatian club NK Rijeka, a league source has told Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy.
Former U.S. U-20 international and current U-23 pool member Smith, 21, joined TFC last August from English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers after struggling to break into Bolton's first team during his three years in England and spending time on loan in the lower leagues with Carlisle, Darlington and Stockport. During his time at Bolton, Smith was selected to the U.S. team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, but had to pull out with an injury.
Toronto FC sent allocation money to New England for the chance to move up in the allocation rankings to acquire Smith. The Connecticut native started just three times in ten total appearances for TFC last season.
The source said Smith isn't particularly happy with his contract north of the border -- Smith earns a base salary of $36,000, according to MLS Players Union documents from October -- and wants a chance to return to Europe.
NK Rijeka is currently fifth in the Croatian league and won the Croatian Cup in 2005 and 2006.
-- Kyle McCarthy, Goal.com
Former U.S. U-20 international and current U-23 pool member Smith, 21, joined TFC last August from English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers after struggling to break into Bolton's first team during his three years in England and spending time on loan in the lower leagues with Carlisle, Darlington and Stockport. During his time at Bolton, Smith was selected to the U.S. team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, but had to pull out with an injury.
Toronto FC sent allocation money to New England for the chance to move up in the allocation rankings to acquire Smith. The Connecticut native started just three times in ten total appearances for TFC last season.
The source said Smith isn't particularly happy with his contract north of the border -- Smith earns a base salary of $36,000, according to MLS Players Union documents from October -- and wants a chance to return to Europe.
NK Rijeka is currently fifth in the Croatian league and won the Croatian Cup in 2005 and 2006.
-- Kyle McCarthy, Goal.com
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