Álvaro Rey joins Toronto FC on trial

It may not be the special announcement of the day but Toronto FC confirmed that Spanish winger Álvaro Rey will be joining the club on a trial basis. Waking the Red first reported on the potential move two weeks ago when it seemed like Rey would sign for the club. That was followed up by a report that it would be on a trial basis at least initially.

That second report has proven to be accurate as the Spanish winger is set for a trial with TFC. He is coming off a strong season with Xerez CD where he scored 3 goals and added 5 assists despite the team getting relegated. Rey is 23 years old and has had a decent career in Spain's lower divisions but has failed to really make it to the next level with his past two clubs ending up relegated into Spain's third tier.

Rey arrives as a bit of an unknown quantity so it is good to see that he is coming in on a trial basis first. The club has likely scouted him but getting him in training with the current group of players will make it easier for them to better evaluate his ability before entering into negotiations to try and sign him permanently.

For Rey to stick around with TFC he would have to prove to be good enough to claim an international roster slot. The fact that he is a winger would make Reggie Lambe the most likely candidate to be replaced on the roster as the Bermudan has already fallen behind Jonathan Osorio on the depth chart.

TFC is currently in the midst of trying to lock up Steven Caldwell and Robert Earnshaw which would keep Toronto at one open international slot. Chances are Rey is not going to be the only summer addition so they will likely have to open a slot at some point prior to the July 1st opening of the international window.

For more on Rey check out the previous reports on the player (linked above) but for now he is very much an unknown quantity around these parts.