Designated Player Eric Hassli is packing his bags again.
The 31-year-old French forward, who has scored a total of 15 goals in 51 MLS matches, is now moving stateside after a Monday trade that sends him to FC Dallas from Toronto FC in exchange for a conditional second-round pick in the 2014 SuperDraft.
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After stints in Vancouver and Toronto, Hassli now adds experience to a thin FC Dallas forward line that currently includes the likes of Blas Pérez and academy products Jonathan Top and Bradlee Baladez.
“Eric Hassli is a very good player with an incredible resume,” FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said in a statement. “He fits our needs. He is a big striker who holds the ball very well and is a great goal scorer. Hassli is also a player who can complement Blas Perez, allowing us to play in a two-striker system.”
In signing Hassli, the FC Dallas also waived Brazilian forward Wesley "Pipco" Silva, who was just acquired by the club in mid-December.
If Hyndman does opt to pair Hassli (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and Pérez (6-foot-1, 174 pounds), it could make for the biggest and most powerful strike partnership in MLS.
A veteran the Swiss, French and English top flights, Hassli was signed as Vancouver's first-ever DP in 2011. Midway through the 2012 season, he was traded to Toronto FC in an injury-shortened spell.
“Eric requested a move for family-related reasons and we committed to him we would make every effort to do so, providing the deal was favorable for the team," Toronto FC president and general manager Kevin Payne said in a statement. "We are satisfied with the terms of the trade. If Eric has a productive year for Dallas, the consideration paid to us will be greater."
"The most important aspect of this deal is creating salary cap room and a designated player spot," Payne added. "We'd like to thank Eric for his contributions to our club and wish him all the best with his new team."
By trading Hassli, Toronto FC open up a Designated Player spot on the roster as new manager Ryan Nelsen takes over the reins following retirement from English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers. Nelsen currently has forwards Danny Koevermans, Justin Braun, Quincy Amarikwa and Andrew Wiedeman on the squad.
