FRISCO, Texas -- What has been a relatively quiet off-season sprung to life on Monday as FC Dallas announced a litany of roster moves, including the trade of Brazilian midfielder Jackson to Toronto FC in exchange for allocation money and a conditional second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
“It’s not that we came out and said we didn’t want him anymore or Jackson saying he didn’t want to be here, but it was maybe just the best time for us to move away from each other and see other opportunities,” Technical Director Fernando Clavijo told FCDallas.com. “As much as we valued him, everyone around the league valued him and we were able to get something substantial in the trade for him.”
RELEASE: FC Dallas announces flurry of roster moves including Hollingshead signing & Jackson trade
Jackson departs Frisco as one of the longest-tenured players at FC Dallas. The Brazilian joined FCD on loan from Sao Paulo FC on August 13, 2010, appearing in all four playoff matches that year, including MLS Cup 2010. Having settled into a right wing position after bouncing around the field early in his time with FCD, Jackson had a breakout season in 2012, appearing in 28 matches with four goals and seven assists. However, 2013 was an up and down year for the 25-year-old, who failed to notch a goal or an assist in his final 17 appearances of the season.
“I know he’s going to do well in Toronto, because he’s a very good player and we wish him nothing but the best,” said Clavijo. “We always have to look what is better for the team and I think this is what’s best for the team right now to go in a different direction.”
Clavijo mentioned that he looks for young players like Fabian Castillo and Danny Garcia to fill the void on the right side as well as hinting at another possible signing or two.
“I know we have young players that can cover the positions, like Danny Garcia who’s coming up on the outside and then Fabian Castillo going to a more natural position,” Clavijo said about the opening at the right midfield position. “I think we’re ok, we’re always looking to keep reinforcing the team, but I think with the changes hopefully you can see in the next couple months, it’s going to make everyone very happy.”
In addition to today’s trade, FCD also announced the contract extensions of 15 players including forwards Blas Perez and Fabian Castillo, defenders Michel, Stephen Keel and Matt Hedges, goalkeeper Chris Seitz and midfielder Andrew Jacobson just to name a few, leaving the current roster at 26 players as FCD heads into Thursday’s Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
