Kurt Larson, of Sun Media, reported today that Richard Eckersley has now been released from his contract at Burnley and "is free to leave". That is the best possible news from a Toronto FC perspective because it means that if the defender is willing to accept the clubs best offer there is now no need for a transfer fee.

It has now been confirmed on the clubs website that the defender has had the remainder of his contract cancelled by mutual consent. There were 18 months remaining on the deal between the player and the club.

The defenders release from his club will go down as being by mutual consent as it is in the best interest of both parties. For Burnley they are now free of a fairly large contract and for Eckersley he can now finally find a long term home with a club rather than going on loan after loan.

Reports also came out today that Eckersley was seen at Carrington, his former club Manchester United's training facility, for a checkup which could be the sort of medical that any player has to go through before making a transfer.

We have known for a long time that Toronto's best offer was in the hands of the player so lets just hope that he was willing to accept and his release was the only obstacle left stopping him from re-signing.

This also fits with what John Molinaro found out the other day about certain parties in the transfer dragging their feet. Could very well have been Burnley that were being slow to release the player and allow him to sign on with Toronto.