Damien Perquis

Toronto FC has signed Polish international defender Damien Perquis. As per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Damien’s signing addresses an area we wanted to improve upon this offseason. His experience and leadership both at club and international level will be a welcomed addition to our team,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Damien has a great defensive sense and will provide an upside on the ball with his strong distribution from the back. We are very excited to bring him to Toronto FC.”

Perquis, 30, was in his third season with Real Betis of Spain’s Segunda Division. In three seasons he has made a combined 47 appearances and has scored two goals. Perquis began his youth career at Troyes AC (Troyes) in France. Following his youth career he signed for Troyes and made a combined 62 appearances, scoring three goals for the club. After an impressive stint with Troyes, Perquis signed with AS Saint-Étienne (Saint-Étienne) of the French Ligue 1. He remained with the club for two seasons and was loaned to French club, FC Sochaux (Sochaux) on loan for the 2007-08 season. At the conclusion of the season, Sochaux purchased Perquis; he would remain for four seasons making a combined 161 appearances, and scored 11 goals. Perquis signed for Real Betis ahead of the 2012-13 season.

Perquis has earned 13 caps for the Polish national team and has scored one goal. He received Polish citizenship in January 2011, he is of Polish decent through his grandmother. Perquis made his debut for Poland on September 6, 2011 in a friendly match against Germany. He scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Slovakia in a friendly match on May 26, 2012.