TFC II send four on training stint to Denmark

Four Toronto FC II players made their way overseas this week as they join up with Danish side HB Køge for a club visit.

Aidan Daniels, Malik Johnson, Liam Fraser, and Luca Uccello left on November 7 and will return to Toronto on November 19.

Toronto FC assistant general manager Corey Wray said that this opportunity was an example of TFC's “commitment to growing them as players”, as well as a chance to “continue their development and offer different experiences”.

TFC fans may recall the Danish side from a preseason meeting in 2015, where Jonathan Osorio's strike gave Toronto the 1-0 victory.

Weeks removed from the end of their USL season, all four players are looking forward to the experience.

“It'll be a great opportunity for myself and the couple other lads going to compare ourselves to other players around the world,” said 19-year old Fraser. “An excellent opportunity to prove ourselves overseas.”

M. May

Said 20-year-old Uccello: “I've never been to Denmark. I'm excited for the experience, something new and to represent TFC.”

For Daniels, also 19, it is the opportunity to “see a different club, in Europe, how they train, how they live,” that is most intriguing.

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While Johnson, 19, is looking forward to the challenge: “It's always good to test skills against the boys over there in Europe. Compare your skills, where you are lacking and what you need to improve on.”

All four have been over to Europe for similar experiences in the past.

TFC II may have last played on October 15, but since they have been hard at work, still training as they prepare to hit the ground running next season, their fourth in USL, under Jason Bent

There is unlikely to be time for any vacation, so this training stint must suffice.

Fortunately, that seems to suit the quartet perfectly.

“I'm not much of a relaxing kind of guy,” said Fraser. “Just like to keep working; keep trying to get better.”

Johnson echoed those sentiments: “Starting preseason early. Staying fit is my main focus.”

Mark Thor

Uccello, too, has nothing in the works, while for Daniels it will be all “weights, fitness, keep sharp for preseason. Lots of work to do in the off-season.”

Martin Bazyl

Waking the Red also spoke to the four about the season that was, their main takeaways, and cast an eye forward to the 2018 season, where TFC II will be moving downtown to play at BMO Field and Lamport Stadium - look for further coverage in the coming weeks.