Jermain Defoe on TFC: 'I’m totally committed to the cause'

Transfer speculation was temporarily put to rest Wednesday as Jermain Defoe met with the media to address the rampant rumours about his possible departure from Toronto FC.

Defoe, who is returning to the Major League Soccer club after rehabbing his injured groin in England, spoke about the rumours linking him with a move back to England, and pledged his allegiance to the team he signed a four-year contract with in January.

"I never came out anywhere and said I wanted to leave. In England (transfer speculation) is normal. … At the end of the day, I’m still a TFC player and I’m totally committed to the cause,” Defoe said, per Sportsnet.

Toronto reportedly turned down an $11 million transfer offer from Premier League side Queens Park Rangers in August, and questions about his desire to continue his career in North America were asked following the dismissal of Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen, a former teammate of Defoe with Tottenham.

While Defoe may be committed to playing in Toronto for the remainder of the MLS season, the former English international was ambiguous about his future in the league beyond this season.

“That’s out of my control," the former Tottenham Hotspur player said. "I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. All I can say to the fans is that I’m fully committed, and looking forward to getting back and looking forward to this playoff push.” 

In the end, Defoe blamed the speculation on the usual transfer rumours that pop-up when the window opens and didn't treat this summer's conjecture any differently than when he played in England.