TFC Major Announcement at 3 PM today: Gilberto signing official

[GlenM]

I just saw this come up on FB.

Something's up.

GlenM

[__wowza]

http://www.torontofc.ca/live

Don't Miss The Live Stream (http://www.torontofc.ca/live)


TFC to hold a major announcement live from Air Canada Centre.


EDIT: really? really? ONE MINUTE BEFORE I MADE MY THREAD? :(

[TOBOR !]

I hear there's a presser at 3...

[mastermixer]

At the ACC? I guess they haven't paid their heating bills at BMO.

[Carts]

I just saw this come up on FB.

Something's up.

GlenM

We know you're excited for the major announcement, but this is simply too much information Glen!!!

[TOBOR !]

and that guy said we don't start enough threads around here

[Canary10]

Wait, is it a presser or a Major Announcement?

[TOBOR !]

^ depends which thread you post in.

[Fort York Redcoat]

^ depends which thread you post in.

Major Appresserment

[cmonyoureds]

The news is there is no news, please renews your tix.

[MartinUtd]

New beer @ BMO!

[cmonyoureds]

We've signed Diego............................................. .................................................. ......Simeone.

[MartinUtd]

See, I want to give Nelsen his chance with a full team but I'd take Athletico's manager in a heartbeat - despite '98.

[Ultra & Proud]

New beer @ BMO!
I wish.

[ManUtd4ever]

Ever since I joined the RPB Forum years ago, these pressers seem anticlimactic because we always find out what the deal is days (sometimes weeks) in advance, LOL.

[Ultra & Proud]

Ever since I joined the RPB Forum years ago, these pressers seem anticlimactic because we always find out what the deal is days (sometimes weeks) in advance, LOL.
Wouldn't it be cool if they actually could sneak a signing under the radar on a day like this and have a surprise double reveal or something.

[__wowza]

word through the grapvine (aka: reddit) is that we've signed gilberto, or another DP.

https://twitter.com/LukeWileman/status/411557435392802816

[Detroit_TFC]

Will there be a cardboard cutout figure of Jermain Defoe at the table?

[rocktml]

Gilberto nothing new here

[Phil]

yup, this is the Gilberto one, the worst kept secret in Toronto this week. Hold up on paperwork.

Lots happening in the background for other guys to come in too.

[__wowza]

it's on now. apparently our GM and DP have attained corporeal form.

EDIT: now they can only communicate but what seems to be a high pitched tone. this crazy club!!

[Marc"2L"]

https://vine.co/v/h2vFKvztMKD

4 microphones, Bez, Nelly, Gilberto and translator I'm guessing

[flatpicker]

Have they announced our new roof yet?

[Marc"2L"]

Oh god, turn the sound off before you watch the live stream

[flatpicker]

Oh god, turn the sound off before you watch the live stream

It's a trick! That sound is producing a hypnotic suggestion that makes you renew your season tickets along with buying additional seats!

[mowe]

Have they announced our new roof yet?

Good question. It was supposed to be approved at the recent board meeting, but there might've been other some issues that took precedence.

[TOBOR !]

ok - the stream starts at 3pm... but when does the major announcement happen ?

[TOBOR !]

those two guys up front are enjoying themselves

[0bl1vious]

Oh god, turn the sound off before you watch the live stream

RIP headphone users

[Oblio2]

Its the Gilberto announcement....

[Nerepis]

It's a trick! That sound is producing a hypnotic suggestion that makes you renew your season tickets along with buying additional seats!

Really, to me it sounds like "gouge out your eardrums with a butter knife" but I could be wrong.

[flatpicker]

Its the Gilberto announcement....

Where did you acquire your marvelous powers of preognition?

[pdubs]

Its the Gilberto announcement....

orly???

[Dv23]

Here we go.

[Mr. Bigby]

The sound is fine now.

[0bl1vious]

Who are the journos up front on the left?

[Canary10]

Fuck it's a special announcement. All bets are off.

[Marc"2L"]

Bev Oda?

[Canary10]

Bev Oda?

Ha ha! Awesome.

Good that's it's not orange juice with her on the table.

[Dv23]

Can we get a translator for the translator?

[mowe]

Nelson played a visit to him in Brazil. Wants to win. WELL SO DO I, GILBERTO.

[__wowza]

"he says.. it's fucking cold."

[GlenM]

We know you're excited for the major announcement, but this is simply too much information Glen!!!

LOL Carts :)

GlenM

[Marc"2L"]

Can we get a translator for the translator?

Stream is cutting out

[__wowza]

gilberto says he came to TFC to become a champion, the followup question:

"ryan, you were a long way from being champion last season, what did you tell him?"


OUCH.

[__wowza]

tim is a horrible public speaker. how many times has he stuttered or dropped "ummm", horrible body language too. he's all hunched over. they should probably coach him on this stuff if he's going to be doing it in the future?

edit: he also kinda looks like benajmin linus.

http://themoviemash.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/benlinus.jpg

[flatpicker]

Riveting!

[Canary10]

That was totally eventful.

[__wowza]

he left to go put the shirt on for some pictures with the media, then the feed cut out.

[Super]

Hey man, Bez brought in Gilberto, obviously not single-handed, but I'm very happy with his performance as our GM thus far. Moneyball guy. He can be the worst public speaker in the world as long as he helps make us a winner.

[Canary10]

Couldn't they show footage of someone plugging in cables or something while we waited for him to get the shirt on?

[flatpicker]

he left to go put the shirt on for some pictures with the media, then the feed cut out.

You have to wait for the sequel.

[pdubs]

Hey man, Bez brought in Gilberto, obviously not single-handed, but I'm very happy with his performance as our GM thus far. Moneyball guy. He can be the worst public speaker in the world as long as he helps make us a winner.

exactly this. We have TL to do the speaking we need TB to keep fixing this team

[Marc"2L"]

http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/assets/default/gilberto600Comic.jpg
Lol, look guys, he signed it, for reals.

note: the files name is Gilberto Comic

[__wowza]

all in all, great news. we've signed a young player who looks promising and can fill a role that we seriously needed help in. no complaints.

[Suds]

bitterly disappointed again ...

so thought this was the free beer at BMO announcement I've been waiting on for 8 years :frown5:


if this guy bags a bunch of goals Bez is off the hook ..

for now :)

:drinking:

[ManUtd4ever]

Hey man, Bez brought in Gilberto, obviously not single-handed, but I'm very happy with his performance as our GM thus far. Moneyball guy. He can be the worst public speaker in the world as long as he helps make us a winner.

Yup.

[Yohan]

We'll see if Gilberto pans out, but it's nice knowing MLS is a viable destination for 20 something SA players who had choices in Europe. He's likely getting more money from TFC than Europe, but MLS is getting more consideration as legit league in SA. Gilberto sounds like he's using TFC and MLS as stepping stone to bigger things in Europe, but at least he's here.

[tfcleeds]

We'll see if Gilberto pans out, but it's nice knowing MLS is a viable destination for 20 something SA players who had choices in Europe. He's likely getting more money from TFC than Europe, but MLS is getting more consideration as legit league in SA. Gilberto sounds like he's using TFC and MLS as stepping stone to bigger things in Europe, but at least he's here.Stepping stone is fine by me as long as he produces the goods.

[Shakes McQueen]

Gilberto was much sought after overseas. This is a great signing. If the Defoe deal follows, plus some other smart signings, the look of this team will have fundamentally changed.

- Scott

[mowe]

all in all, great news. we've signed a young player who looks promising and can fill a role that we seriously needed help in. no complaints.

Yeah I think we can be happy (or at least cautiously optimistic) TFC fans today.

[burlington Red]

seems to be a lot less hassle signing Brazilians than Argentinians

[TOBOR !]

Nice to get a guy on the way up, rather than the way down. Could be a good investment as well - wonder what we'll get for him when he leaves ?

[Phil]

Key point was them talking about how he fits into their style of play....can score wither foot, headers and all around good play inside the box and outside. There was a little dig about Urutti in there to me. He doesn't fit that profile and would not be the player we wanted given what style the coach has in mind.

[Fort York Redcoat]

So this means some of those people at the Brazil Chile friendly will come by to watch a more Brazilian TFC, right?

[TFC07]

I like this champion talk during press conference. Hopefully we get there next year. :)

[__wowza]

just updated the thread title.

[Technorgasm]

http://forum.acmilan-online.com/image.php?u=29184&type=sigpic&dateline=1386266620




Kid seems like he can fit into the side nicely.

S'al Good!

'Tear this league apart.

[Shakes McQueen]

Nice to get a guy on the way up, rather than the way down. Could be a good investment as well - wonder what we'll get for him when he leaves ?

ALL THE ALLOCATION MONEY IN THE WORLD.

- Scott

[Laiping]

Happy with this signing! Going in the right direction!

[Detroit_TFC]

This is was important boost to a strong start in the beginning of the season. More to do, though, even beyond Defoe/DP#2 signing (which I am getting skeptical will happen).

[Pint]

This is was important boost to a strong start in the beginning of the season. More to do, though, even beyond Defoe/DP#2 signing (which I am getting skeptical will happen).

I may be misreading this but you know that Gilberto is the #2 DP signing

again maybe i'm misreading what you were saying

[Jack]

I feel...positive? What is this strange feeling?

[Initial B]

I'm just praying that he doesn't tear/break something by the second game of the season. The way our injury streak has been going, DPs seem to be more vulnerable than most.

[Yohan]

Hwttla?

[Pint]

I feel...positive? What is this strange feeling?

maybe this sums up how you are feeling?:

“Wow, my father an astronaut, I feel so full of . . . what’s the opposite of shame?” – Bart Simpson
“Pride?” – Marge Simpson
“No, not that far from shame.” – Bart Simpson
“Less shame?” – Homer Simpson
“Yeah.” – Bart Simpson

[Kaz]

I can't believe Mo finally did it. He has been working on this for years.. this just proves how much dedication he had to signing those tough to find Brazilian players. Total vindication /sarcasm

[Super]

So this means some of those people at the Brazil Chile friendly will come by to watch a more Brazilian TFC, right?

They may find it difficult getting a ticket once we roll out the complete new squad. This is a brand new TFC. No doubt about it.

[trane]

Relatively young. Seems to have scored at a good rate in Brazil. That is good. We will see. I have to see him play before I get to excited.

[Yohan]

Relatively young. Seems to have scored at a good rate in Brazil. That is good. We will see. I have to see him play before I get to excited.
for once I'm in agreement with you.

I don't get excited about ANY TFC signing. Too many 'big names' flopped here, either to not good enough, can't adjust to MLS, or just don't give a shit.

[Yohan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELp2wvun49Q&feature=c4-overview&list=UUc1qA_64TEqAX9pnGJOO0Dw

[trane]

^ Yeah. I like the theory, of this. But you never know, and in this case, I do not recall ever seeing him play so I do not even know what to expect.

Plus I felt similar about the Urruti thing last year, and that was hardly even a thing.

[Fort York Redcoat]

They may find it difficult getting a ticket once we roll out the complete new squad. This is a brand new TFC. No doubt about it.

Well at least they can get a shirt to wear when Brazil isn't playing.


Hope he spoils Frie's season opener at Seattle.

(Sorry Frei but I do want you to get the chance to start)

[trane]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELp2wvun49Q&feature=c4-overview&list=UUc1qA_64TEqAX9pnGJOO0Dw

I like the finishing touch he displayed there. But clearly do not expect misses on a highlight real.

[Jack]

I'm just praying that he doesn't tear/break something by the second game of the season. The way our injury streak has been going, DPs seem to be more vulnerable than most.
Well, considering the age and the wear and tear on most of our DPs (Laba aside), them getting hurt isn't really so much about bad luck as it is about them being 35.

[Yohan]

Kristian Jack has good article on Gilberto
http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/mls/story/?id=438903

[Abou Sky]

I feel...positive? What is this strange feeling?

I feel fucking giddy...

I was saying earlier this week to my son 'Only 3 more months before TFC starts'

I know most here have European teams, and I like watching good soccer but without having a horse in the race it just isn't the same.

[Detroit_TFC]

I may be misreading this but you know that Gilberto is the #2 DP signing

again maybe i'm misreading what you were saying

Yes, technically DP#3, but meant second of the two open DP slots getting filled this cycle, if it happens. My fault, should have been clearer.

[Ivy]

Laba not being a DP next year is not common knowledge yet?

[Pint]

Laba not being a DP next year is not common knowledge yet?

What? Laba isn't a DP next season?

[OgtheDim]

Emery Welshman is getting a new watch I think.

[Cashcleaner]

Hey man, Bez brought in Gilberto, obviously not single-handed, but I'm very happy with his performance as our GM thus far. Moneyball guy. He can be the worst public speaker in the world as long as he helps make us a winner.

Yeah, he's been pretty low-key when you think about it in terms of his exposure, but today is a good example of the results his efforts have yielded. Now let's just hope this can all translate into on-field success.


all in all, great news. we've signed a young player who looks promising and can fill a role that we seriously needed help in. no complaints.

Same here. The guy is young and fit, and has played quite well in a very competitive league. He should fit in very nicely here. My only (very minor) concern is how well he'll handle the weather at the beginning and toward the end of the season.


Gilberto was much sought after overseas. This is a great signing. If the Defoe deal follows, plus some other smart signings, the look of this team will have fundamentally changed.

- Scott

DeFoe is still the big one I'm waiting for. Having both him and Gilberto on the squad would be incredible. The whole dynamic of this club would change. I used to remark a lot how this club tends to react to other teams in the league both on the field and in the boardroom, but this is certainly a very proactive signing in many ways and I'm hoping it works out.

[Richard]

Impressive signing. I wouldn't have thought they would go with the unknown Brazilian, good on them for not going with another over the hill star.

Next up should be Defoe.

[Ultra & Proud]

What? Laba isn't a DP next season?
Unfortunately the MLS is all smoke and mirrors so it's hard to know anything for certain but if he was a DP due to the transfer fee and really makes $200K or so then we are talking.

[notthesun]

Emery Welshman is getting a new watch I think.

Haha, beat me to it.

I like that Gilberto wanted the number 9 though.

[trane]

The more I think about this signing the less I like it. After all did we not already have the best finisher in the modern era????? Right???

[pdubs]

The more I think about this signing the less I like it. After all did we not already have the best finisher in the modern era????? Right???

don't worry we have lambe to provide service

[brad]

The more I think about this signing the less I like it. After all did we not already have the best finisher in the modern era????? Right???

True enough. Unfortunately we never got the best long ball launching defender of the modern era to provide service to him.... What could have been.

I like this signing.

[jloome]

The more I think about this signing the less I like it. After all did we not already have the best finisher in the modern era????? Right???

By description, the guy reminds me of Maicon Santos. Hopefully the numbers this year suggest he'll produce more but as Tim Vickery pointed out in the TSN podcast, he played up top alone last season, so he had the bulk of chances.

Not sure we have the team to support a poacher/cannot shot guy unless he plays with a target guy like Dike.

[trane]

^ That is what I am kind of thinking, that they may pair him up with Dike.


"Unfortunately we never got the best long ball launching defender of the modern era to provide service to him.... What could have been." The promises of TFC???

[brad]

^ That is what I am kind of thinking, that they may pair him up with Dike.


"Unfortunately we never got the best long ball launching defender of the modern era to provide service to him.... What could have been." The promises of TFC???

We have 2 Brazilians now - I think we should go for a classic 4-2-4. Any good halfbacks available in the re-entry draft?

[OgtheDim]

So that black and white picture of him lacing up his shoes...... have we signed him because he ups the dreamboat quotient on the team?

Cause I'm thinking he's one of the better looking boys on the team now.

And I'm not even gay.

[Chevy]

^ You sure?

[denime]

yup, this is the Gilberto one, the worst kept secret in Toronto this week. Hold up on paperwork.

Lots happening in the background for other guys to come in too.:thumbsup:

Good to hear they are working on more players,instead on Defoe only.

[denime]

I feel...positive? What is this strange feeling?

strange feeling indeed :fluffy:

[denime]

^ that is what i am kind of thinking, that they may pair him up with dero.


"unfortunately we never got the best long ball launching defender of the modern era to provide service to him.... What could have been." the promises of tfc???

fixed;)

[Huyton]

So that black and white picture of him lacing up his shoes...... have we signed him because he ups the dreamboat quotient on the team?

Cause I'm thinking he's one of the better looking boys on the team now.

And I'm not even gay.

Was at a pub last night when the signing was being shown on a TV. "Oh my God", said my wife, He's gorgeous...can you get another season ticket?"

My seatmates girfriend, who also has one of my seasons tickets, said she want's to be front row in 112 when he takes corners.


Me? I'm wondering if he brings a WAG with him.

[Leedsoronto]

don't worry we have lambe to provide service

This worries me, either we bring in a Deaf o to teach him English for 90 mins, or have a spare ball he can play with at HT

[ensco]

I like it. I am really interested to see how how a young first rank Brazilian handles this league.

He could score 20 goals, or two goals. The risk is that one of (i) the physical play, (ii) the bad reffing/non-calls, or (iii) culture shock/nightlife, gets to him.

[ManUtd4ever]

Was at a pub last night when the signing was being shown on a TV. "Oh my God", said my wife, He's gorgeous...can you get another season ticket?"

My seatmates girfriend, who also has one of my seasons tickets, said she want's to be front row in 112 when he takes corners.


Me? I'm wondering if he brings a WAG with him.

LOL, my wife said the same thing when I watched the replay of the presser after I got home from the office.

Dude is going to tear this league and this city apart, LOL.

I'm sure that TFC is going make him the poster boy for the franchise. I just hope his performance on the pitch will warrant it.

[ag futbol]

I like it. I am really interested to see how how a young first rank Brazilian handles this league.

He could score 20 goals, or two goals. The risk is that one of (i) the physical play, (ii) the bad reffing/non-calls, or (iii) culture shock/nightlife, gets to him.
It's a fair question. I watch a fair amount of brasileirao but not enough to tell you how this guy plays. I will say in general:

1) Brazilian football is middle of the road when it comes to physicality in comparison to the rest of the leagues in south america. The old adage of all brazilians can play football, so why not choose the best athlete? tends to hold true. Midfield in general is not very crowded or contested in the same way an MLS match would be. Guys operate in a fair amount of space and the action tends to be end-to-end. However, the strikers-defenders go at each other a lot more often. I would assume our new guy will be a lot more accustomed to physical play than Urruti was when he arrived here. He'll have to adjust but he won't be shocked when someone comes through the back of him or grabs his shirt as he tries to make a run across the back line.
2) Brazilian football is a lot more direct than people assume. They are not nearly as interested in possession as they are in attacking you. So they'll hold the ball long enough to find a good chance, but won't drag it out often. 4-4-2 is still somewhat common formation down there although it sounds like this guy was playing up top in a 4-2-3-1
3) Players of this sort of Gilberto mold are endless and are bought by foreign clubs every year. Some people have expressed doubt that European clubs could be interested in this guy. I don't doubt it at all. It's very common for guys like this to land in France, Portugal, Germany, Hollard, Eastern Europe, etc... They cost 500k-3M euros and generally don't make headlines. Other than the fans of the teams involved nobody cares. These are run-of-the-mill south american prospects that come up all the time.

[Globetrotter]

"Reds sign power forward Gilberto from Brazil league Serie A"

5'10 and 154 lbs is a power forward???

[Dub Narcotic]

Risky signing. Tim Vickery mixed; Internacional fans on reddit not sorry to see him go; only one really good season. This is definitely not a slam dunk DP, although he will be a near-certain upgrade on Earnshaw/Braun/Weidemann at the least.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

He also didnt get much playing time at Internacional (who had a lot of depth) too if im not mistaken

[Haddy]

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/brazil-star-damiao-joins-santos-from-internacional-121713

Internacional has sold Damiao to Santos. One of their two top forwards gone. I guess they didn't see Gilberto ever fitting in there.

[ManUtd4ever]

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/brazil-star-damiao-joins-santos-from-internacional-121713

Internacional has sold Damiao to Santos. One of their two top forwards gone. I guess they didn't see Gilberto ever fitting in there.

It's more likely that their priority was to balance their books, and the transfer fee that TFC paid was too good to resist.

[ag futbol]

This is definitely not a slam dunk DP, although he will be a near-certain upgrade on Earnshaw/Braun/Weidemann at the least.
Depends how you would describe such a thing. If you're looking for someone in the prospect mold, then I would say it easily is. He has a better profile than any of Urruti, Valencia, or Castillo... which are probably the closest comparables for MLS to date.

Obviously he's not as great as someone who is coming from europe, but that is an entirely different category. If that's the sticking point, then the debate should be about using DP slots on 20 something prospects vs. late 20s middle of the roaders vs. 30 year old last paycheque types. This is, about as good of a prospect as any MLS team can afford in the current environment.

[Initial B]

I was at an Ottawa Fury event tonight and talked to someone who knew Gilberto and said he will be a good signing with TFC if he can adjust to life in Toronto. They then proceeded to comment that there were a lot of good players in South America that, with the right scouting network, would excel in MLS. Apparently the problem is that 75% of the MLS front offices speak only english, and that is the reason they seem to be focused mostly on english-speaking leagues when looking for talent. The MLS scouting network needs a lot of work.

[Oldtimer]

I was at an Ottawa Fury event tonight and talked to someone who knew Gilberto and said he will be a good signing with TFC if he can adjust to life in Toronto. They then proceeded to comment that there were a lot of good players in South America that, with the right scouting network, would excel in MLS. Apparently the problem is that 75% of the MLS front offices speak only english, and that is the reason they seem to be focused mostly on english-speaking leagues when looking for talent. The MLS scouting network needs a lot of work.

Even if they spoke Spanish (e.g. Chivas, and you might see that with the two Texas clubs or with LA) that wouldn't help with Brazil.