Belgium international defender Laurent Ciman decided to return to Major League Soccer after spending the last four months with French Ligue 1 side FC Dijon. Ciman, who previously had stints with Montreal Impact and LAFC, now decided to sign with Toronto FC, who took him with the No. 1 allocation spot.

Toronto managed to get the No.1 allocation spot from FC Cincinnati, by trading their No.2 allocation spot and a second-round draft pick in 2019 MLS Super Draft.

“We are excited to add a player with Laurent’s vast experience,” – said Toronto’s senior vice president, soccer operations and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “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.”

Laurent Ciman spent the majority of his career in native Belgium, where he played for Charleroi and Standard Liège among others, before joining Montreal Impact in 2015. With the Impact, he played 85 games and scored three goals, while earning MLS Defender of the Year award. In December of 2018, he was traded to LAFC but ended up only playing 22 games before deciding to go to France.

Ciman didn’t have the best experience with FC Dijon, failing to establish himself as a regular starter, and ended up reaching a mutual termination of the contract with the team last week. 

The post Laurent Ciman Returns to MLS, Signs with Toronto FC appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Belgian center back Laurent Ciman is ending his stint with LAFC after just 22 games. Ciman confirmed on Tuesday that he is leaving Los Angeles and will make a move to Ligue 1’s Dijon. Reportedly, the 33-year-old signed a two-year contract with the French club, while LAFC will receive $500,000 in compensation.

Following the transfer, Laurent Ciman issued a statement on his social media and thanked the team and LAFC fans for the support.

“As you may have heard, we are leaving L.A. for France,” – Ciman wrote. “I want to thank LAFC fans for embracing me, supporting me, and making me feel like family in ways that exceeded my every expectation. I’ll always keep LAFC fans in my heart.“

“To LAFC fans and the organization, my gratitude, and love forever. I’ve been honored to be your first captain, to have scored our first goal at Banc of California Stadium and to be a part of the LAFC family,” – he added.

Laurent Ciman emerged as one of the best MLS center backs during his time with Montreal Impact, where he played from 2015 to 2017. He was traded to LAFC in December 2017, in exchange for Raheem Edwards and Jukka Raitala.

Prior to coming to MLS, Ciman played for several Belgian clubs including RSC Charleroi, Club Brugge, and Standard Liege. He was also a member of Belgian national soccer team, for which he played 20 games and scored once.

The post Laurent Ciman Leaves LAFC for Dijon appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Belgium international defender Laurent Ciman decided to return to Major League Soccer after spending the last four months with French Ligue 1 side FC Dijon. Ciman, who previously had stints with Montreal Impact and LAFC, now decided to sign with Toronto FC, who took him with the No. 1 allocation spot.

Toronto managed to get the No.1 allocation spot from FC Cincinnati, by trading their No.2 allocation spot and a second-round draft pick in 2019 MLS Super Draft.

“We are excited to add a player with Laurent’s vast experience,” – said Toronto’s senior vice president, soccer operations and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “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.”

Laurent Ciman spent the majority of his career in native Belgium, where he played for Charleroi and Standard Liège among others, before joining Montreal Impact in 2015. With the Impact, he played 85 games and scored three goals, while earning MLS Defender of the Year award. In December of 2018, he was traded to LAFC but ended up only playing 22 games before deciding to go to France.

Ciman didn’t have the best experience with FC Dijon, failing to establish himself as a regular starter, and ended up reaching a mutual termination of the contract with the team last week. 

The post Laurent Ciman Returns to MLS, Signs with Toronto FC appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Belgian center back Laurent Ciman is ending his stint with LAFC after just 22 games. Ciman confirmed on Tuesday that he is leaving Los Angeles and will make a move to Ligue 1’s Dijon. Reportedly, the 33-year-old signed a two-year contract with the French club, while LAFC will receive $500,000 in compensation.

Following the transfer, Laurent Ciman issued a statement on his social media and thanked the team and LAFC fans for the support.

“As you may have heard, we are leaving L.A. for France,” – Ciman wrote. “I want to thank LAFC fans for embracing me, supporting me, and making me feel like family in ways that exceeded my every expectation. I’ll always keep LAFC fans in my heart.“

“To LAFC fans and the organization, my gratitude, and love forever. I’ve been honored to be your first captain, to have scored our first goal at Banc of California Stadium and to be a part of the LAFC family,” – he added.

Laurent Ciman emerged as one of the best MLS center backs during his time with Montreal Impact, where he played from 2015 to 2017. He was traded to LAFC in December 2017, in exchange for Raheem Edwards and Jukka Raitala.

Prior to coming to MLS, Ciman played for several Belgian clubs including RSC Charleroi, Club Brugge, and Standard Liege. He was also a member of Belgian national soccer team, for which he played 20 games and scored once.

The post Laurent Ciman Leaves LAFC for Dijon appeared first on SportzBonanza.