Toronto FC Sign Canadian International Forward Tosaint Ricketts

It's been the worst-kept secret within the club but Toronto FC has officially signed Canadian International forward Tosaint Ricketts. Ricketts will bring speed to Toronto FC's attack which has scored just four goals over the last four games.

He had been training with the club for some time, but due to paperwork issues with his Turkish club Toronto FC had to wait to sign him. How this Ricketts deal is perceived by Toronto FC fans will have a lot to do with how much he makes when salary figures are released this summer.

With 50 caps for Canada, Ricketts has scored 12 times, with eight of those goals coming at BMO Field. He has been a consistent fixture in the Canadian national team ever since Benito Floro took over as manager.

"We are pleased to add another Canadian international with valuable experience for both club and country," said Tim Bezbatchenko in a press release. "Tosaint has trained with the team and has fit in well within the group. We are pleased to get this deal finalized and have him available for selection this weekend."

The fact that Ricketts has already been integrated into the club adds to the value of this signing. He already knows the teams systems and his teammates and therefore should fit right into the lineup.

Ricketts brings European experience with him to the club. The 28-year old recently played with Boluspor in Turkey but left the club after a wage dispute. He has also spent time in Israel and Norway.

He will be a slightly controversial signing for some Toronto FC fans, as he has been a figure of much debate within Canadian national team circles. However, what he does bring to the table is his flexibility, Ricketts can play up front as a striker, on the wings or even in a wide midfield position depending upon the situation.

However, this signing is interesting when it comes to Toronto FC's two young Canadian forwards, particularly Mo Babouli. Jordan Hamilton's recent form dictates that he should be starting until Jozy Altidore is back from injury. Ricketts, however, brings a lot of the same aspects to the table as Babouli, albeit with less on the ball abilities.

Ricketts adds to the impressive list of Canadians players signing with Canadian clubs. This season Nik Ledgerwood signed with FC Edmonton, the now injured will Johnson signed with TFC, while both Marcel de Jong and David Edgar signed with the Whitecaps.

This is good news for the Canadian Men's national team, who will need their players in good form when they take on Honduras and El Salvador in two crucial September World Cup qualifiers.

Ricketts will be eligible to play for Toronto at this weekend's home match against DC United. Whether or not he is used will likely depend on his fitness, and the way the game plays out.