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O'Dea during Ireland duty. INPHO/James Crombie

Done deal: O'Dea joins Toronto FC

The 25-year-old defender was a free agent after being released by Celtic in the summer.

IRISH INTERNATIONAL DARREN O’Dea has signed for MLS side Toronto FC, the club announced today.

The 25-year-old moves to Canada after being released by Celtic in June.

As a highly-rated teenager, O’Dea moved to the Glasgow outfit from Home Farm in 2005.

However, despite making progress early on in his career, the defender spent the last number of years on loan at Reading, Ipswich Town and, last season, Leeds United, before finding himself without a club this summer.

The defender, who won the FAI Intenational Young Player of the Year award earlier this year, has earned 14 senior caps for Ireland and was part of the Euro 2012 – although he didn’t feature in any of the three Group C defeats.

“Darren addresses our need for an experienced, no nonsense central defender,” Toronto FC Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations Paul Mariner told their official website.

Darren has great leadership abilities and his experience, both for club and country, will be a welcomed addition to our club and for our young players. We are so pleased to bring him to Toronto.”

He is the second Irish player to make a move across the Atlantic this week as Andy O’Brien has also joined the Vancouver Whitecaps.

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    Mute Tom Feehan
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    Jan 28th 2014, 7:45 AM

    Get rid of lukaku, he ain’t doin nothin for ya!

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    Mute Jonny Murphy
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    Jan 28th 2014, 7:51 AM

    Well there’s a jynx if ever I seen one

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    Mute Bad Ass Baracus
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    Jan 28th 2014, 11:58 AM

    I swapped lukaku for adebyor…… Seems to be getting the goals lately.

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    Mute Dub Cell
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    Jan 28th 2014, 8:07 AM

    There’s no point having 2 arsenal players in your defence. 1 player is always sufficient cover.

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    Mute Jonathan Murray
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    Jan 28th 2014, 10:25 AM

    Mata straight in there – captain

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    Mute Patrick
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    Jan 28th 2014, 10:33 AM

    Did the exact same thing Jonathan

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    Mute Brian Guilfoyle
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    Jan 28th 2014, 11:16 AM

    I’d be shocked if he starts! Match fitness will be shocking

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    Mute Jonathan Murray
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    Jan 28th 2014, 11:47 AM

    If he’s not starting, it dosnt Mata

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    Mute Chris Mansfield
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    Jan 28th 2014, 2:01 PM

    Assuming Cabaye goes to PSG anyone have any ideas about a replacement.

    Henderson seems the best bet in the price range, but I wonder if anyone joining in the transfer window might present a greater opportunity.

    Zaha now he’s on loan at Cardiff?

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    Mute Steven Shine
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    Jan 28th 2014, 11:57 AM

    What premiership are you watching Tom feehan??, lukaku is in the top 6 point scoring strikers this year with 9 goals and he’s good value.

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    Mute Tom Feehan
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    Jan 28th 2014, 5:54 PM

    He’s not good value at all. He had a great run for a while and he will come good again but he’s just hanging in there getting the odd assist every week. There are far better options to have than him for the time being, adaboyer, wellbeck , Rodriguez ?

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    Mute Tom Feehan
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    Jan 28th 2014, 9:46 PM

    What was that????

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