Toronto FC sign Ciman after acquiring top allocation spot from Cincinnati

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade

Toronto FC have signed defender Laurent Ciman after acquiring the top spot in the Allocation Ranking Order from FC Cincinnati in exchange for a second-round 2019 SuperDraft pick (No. 30 overall) as well as the No. 2 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order.

Thus after TFC selected Ciman, FC Cincy returned to the top of the order.

Ciman, 33, moved to Ligue 1’s Dijon in August after captaining LAFC in their first season. He made 22 appearances for LAFC and scored three goals. Prior to LAFC, Ciman starred for TFC’s bitter rivals the Montreal Impact. He made 85 appearances with the Impact over three seasons and won 2015 MLS Defender of the Year while with the club. He made the MLS All-Star team in three of his four seasons in the league. 

Welcome to the Red side of the rivalry, @LaurentCiman23

📰: https://t.co/aLQ3Ll2WvY#TFCLive pic.twitter.com/joMWkhComv

— Toronto FC (@torontofc) December 27, 2018

“We are excited to add a player with Laurent’s vast experience,” TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a media release. “This is a player who has been a captain of two MLS teams, an All-Star and the Defender of the Year. He is an excellent passer, an organizer in the back and a passionate, fiery competitor. We look forward to him joining our club immediately and becoming an important part of our group.”

Ciman made 9 appearances in Ligue 1 with Dijon, who currently sit in 18th place in France. 

Toronto conceded 64 goals this year, second-most in the Eastern Conference, as the club followed up 2017’s triumphant treble campaign with a disappointing season, finishing 9th in the East while ravaged by injuries.