FCD transfers Toja to Steaua Bucuresti
Two-time MLS All-Star completes move to Romanian club
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"We wish Juan all the best in Europe and thank him for his contribution to FC Dallas, on and off the field," FCD general manager Michael Hitchcock said. "Juan is a special player who will have success wherever he plays. That said we're confident that we have a number of good young players who are ready to step up and fill the shoes that Juan is leaving."
Toja joined FC Dallas from Argentinean club River Plate in February 2007. In his first year with FCD, the Colombian native scored six goals in 27 regular season games while playing three different positions, and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player. In 16 games this season he scored twice and added two assists. He was also selected to both the 2007 and 2008 MLS All-Star Games, starting both games and scoring once in the MLS All-Stars 2-0 win against Celtic FC last year.
"I want to thank FC Dallas for giving me the opportunity to play here, and giving me the opportunity to live my dream of playing in Europe," Toja said. "I am very excited for this opportunity. I want to thank my teammates, and wish them nothing but the best for this year and beyond. I also want to thank all the fans for all of their support."
Steaua has been drawn to play Turkey's Galatasaray in the third qualifying round of the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League, with the first leg on August 12-13 and the second on August 26-27.
FC Dallas will receive two-thirds of the transfer fee for Toja, which may be used for development of the on-field product; a portion of which can be used as allocation money, and the rest for improvements to the first team or youth programs.
