Jim Brennan has made his money. Now he's after something a little more precious.
"I've come back to win something," said Brennan, the first player signed by Toronto FC, the newest team in Major League Soccer. "I want to bring something back to this city."
Brennan is among the most widely decorated soccer players ever to pull on a national team jersey. A 29-year-old from Newmarket, Ont., Brennan has competed in 43 international teams for Canada, the second-highest total ever.
The veteran midfielder arrives back home after 10 seasons in England. He has toiled for Southampton, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City.
Brennan shook his head when asked if he could have ever forsee the pro game in Canadian soil.
"No, I didn't," Brennan said. "It didn't come into my mind but being a guy from Toronto and a Canadian guy, you always dream of coming back to Toronto and playing professionally in your country or your home town.
"You never do think the opportunity will come up and obviously when it did, I was sold."
As an experienced elite player with some miles left, Brennan had ample opportunities to return to play overseas. English teams are not constrained by a salary cap such as the $1.9 million limit imposed on MLS teams.
"I've had to take a massive pay cut," Brennan said. "I could have stayed in England and made a lot more money but I don't mind, I had a great career, I made some good money. For me now it's just about coming back home. Playing for Toronto is all I want to do."
FC coach Mo Johnston was ecstatic over the signing.
"I've seen him many times. He's been in England 12, 13 years. He's played in many big games. He's played on his national team. He's scored two goals overseas in an international game in Austria. I know what he brings to the table."
FC will take the field at the new 20,000 seat National Soccer Stadium at Exhibition Place next Spring.
