TORONTO -- Young, good-looking and said to be a pure goal-scorer, Brazils Gilberto ticks most of Tim Leiwekes boxes for a designated player. Christian Hackenberg Jersey . The 24-year-old forward speaks Portuguese, however, making selling Toronto FC and MLS a little tough. No English, no problem, said Leiweke. "We have someone else coming in to do that for us," said the CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Leiweke, TFC manager Ryan Nelsen and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko werent saying more but their wide smiles Friday spoke volumes. Toronto FC fans should probably get their order in for a red jersey with No. 18 on the back. Expect Spurs star and England striker Jermain Defoe to swagger through the door sometime soon, complete with a truckload of MLSE cash. Gilberto joins midfielder Matias Laba as a TFC designated player. The 31-year-old Defoe, who used to play with Nelsen at Tottenham, would be a giant cherry on the cake. Another MLS veteran could arrive next week and there could be more coming. The club has talked to former TFC player Dwayne De Rosario, although the former league MVP would have to accept a reduced salary and role. Still, the team believes the 35-year-old Canadian captain could play a key role on and off the field, while closing out his career before adoring fans in his home town. First things first, however. Its been a bumper week for Toronto with the signing of Gilberto, goalkeeper Joe Bendik inking a new deal, Greg Vanney coming on board as academy director and the acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Jackson from FC Dallas. The 6-17-11 team was also chuffed at picking up first-round draft picks in 2014 and 15 for the rights to goalkeeper Stefan Frei (dealt to Seattle) and midfielder Bobby Convey (dealt to New York Red Bulls). Given both players were on their way out, it was essentially a case of getting something for nothing. Gilberto was the big catch of the week, however. Bezbatchenko called the Brazilian a "young rising star of the game." "A great coup for the club," said Nelsen, whose off-field connections helped cut through the red tape of dealing with Brazil. Its also a coup for the North American league, which in the past has had to settle for aging overseas stars. Gilberto is young, has played at a high level and comes with solid credentials. MLS fans should see him flourish rather than fade. Loaned out by Internacional, Gilberto Oliveira Souza Junior scored 14 goals in 28 games in Brazils top division this season in helping Portuguesa avoid relegation (although the club still could be demoted for mistakenly using an irregular player in the final round last weekend). Gilberto was signed by Internacional from third-division club Santa Cruz in 2011 but didnt make the team, playing only sparingly. He then joined Sport Club de Recife on loan in 2012 before coming to Portuguesa this year. In four seasons in the Brazilian Serie A, he has made 109 appearances, with 38 goals and 10 assists. Bezbatchenko said Gilberto turned down deals in Mexico, Germany and other countries to choose Toronto and MLS. The Mexican offers were in the four-million-euro (C$5.8 million) range. Speaking through an interpreter, Gilberto came across as charismatic and self-assured at a news conference in the Air Canada Centre foyer. "Im very happy to be here," he said. The Brazilian said he had been enticed by Nelsens plans for the future during a visit to Brazil. He specifically cited the clubs championship ambitions, which seem a reach given the teams performance in recent years. "Its not necessarily the past that attracts players obviously, its the future," said Nelsen. The stability of MLSE, TFCs well-appointed training facility and a good fan base no doubt helped sell the Brazilian on Toronto. Plus the club wanted him. "He scores all types of goals -- whether theyre headers, left foot, right foot, inside the box, outside the box ... His work ethic is tremendous, his character is tremendous," Nelsen said. "He showed great leadership on the field and is a very humble human being off it, which is extremely important to me." Speaking through an interpreter, Gilberto said he also liked the idea that the league was growing. "This made me open my eyes and I was looking for new challenges for myself," he said. Gilberto, who has a fiancee, grew up a Flamengo fan, with Romario and Ronaldo among his favourite players. Toronto FC has failed to make the playoffs in its seven-year history and finished 17th in the 19-team league this season, scoring just 30 goals in 34 games. Kony Ealy Jersey . -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. Wayne Chrebet Jersey .Fucale will not only be one of the local boys, he is also a Montreal Canadiens draft pick and will have a huge cheering section when Canada opens the tournament Dec. http://www.authenticjetsfanatic.com/c-16-jets-leonard-williams-jersey.aspx .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April.TOBLACH, Italy -- Alex Harvey was solid in a fifth-place result on Saturday in his final World Cup cross-country ski distance race prior to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. After spending a week doing high-altitude training in Italy, the 25-year-old from St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., bounced back into race form while challenging for the podium in the mens 15-kilometre individual start classic-ski race. Harvey clocked a time of 37 minutes 30.1 seconds. "That was a solid race from Alex today. He started out conservative and then made up ground throughout the race," said Justin Wadsworth, head coach of the Canadian cross-country ski team. "This week is all about shaking out the cobwebs after being at altitude so it was a good day." Harvey set a pace ahead of the eventual winner, Russias Alexander Legkov, in the final lap. Legkov set the time to beat at 37:02.7. Switzerlands Dario Cologna was second at 37:05.6, while Swedens Marcus Hellner rounded out the podium in third with a time of 37:20.3. Four other Canadians hit the start line including two relative rookies to thee World Cup, Graeme Killick and Jesse Cockney, along with Olympic veterans Devon Kershaw and Ivan Babikov. Bryce Petty Jersey. Kershaw, from Sudbury, Ont., finished 39th with a time of 39:31.7, while Killick, from Fort McMurray, Alta., placed 40th (39:32.3). Cockney, from Canmore, Alta., was 51st (39:48.6), while Babikov, also from Canmore, finished 62nd (40:24.4) in the wet and mild conditions. "Devon and Ivan struggled with their skis today in the conditions," added Wadsworth. "All of the guys are feeling really good and I think are looking good heading into the Games." Whitehorses Emily Nishikawa was the lone Canadian to start in the womens 10-kilometre classic-ski race. Nishikawa placed 40th after clocking a time of 30:06.8. Norways Marit Bjoergen finished on top at 26:54.2. Therese Johaug, also of Norway, grabbed the silver medal with a time of 27:30.9, while Swedens Charlotte Kalla skied to the bronze after stopping the clock at 27:37.1. The final World Cup race prior to the start of the Olympic Winter Games takes place on Sunday in Toblach, Italy. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '