VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Whitecaps have acquired Sebastien Le Toux and the French midfielder doesn’t seem very happy about it.
Le Toux tweeted: “Just got traded to Vancouver! Saddest day for me in my Philadelphia Union story…. Still can’t believe it.”
The Union received allocation money in the deal. The Frenchman had just one goal for Seattle in his 2009 debut season in Major League Soccer but found his form in Philadelphia, scoring 25 goals over the last two years.
“Sebastien is a proven goalscorer and playmaker in Major League Soccer,” Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said Tuesday in a release. “He is a durable, fit, and speedy attacker, who is capable of playing either up front or wide in midfield.
“We’re delighted to bring Sebastien back to the Pacific Northwest and add another quality player to our squad.”
Le Toux, 28, sounded a little more chipper in the news release sent out by the team.
“I am very familiar with Vancouver from my time with the Sounders and it is a great city with a terrific soccer history,” said Le Toux. “I look forward to meeting my new teammates, staff, and fans, and helping Whitecaps FC win.”
Le Toux won the MLS Individual Fair Play Award in 2010 and 2011. He started every match for the Union last season and recorded 11 goals and nine assists.
“While this decision wasn’t easy, we are confident that the allocation money we receive will provide the flexibility for us to compile the best possible roster for 2012 and beyond,” Union team manager Peter Nowak said in a release.
Before making the jump to MLS, Le Toux spent two seasons with Seattle in the old United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1). He also played two seasons for FC Lorient-Bretagne Sud in France’s Ligue 2.
