Joao Plata is returning to Ecuador.
The TFC fan favourite Tweeted tonight that he will be leaving TFC to return to his parent club LDU Quito. Apparently the club requested that Plata be returned to them because of TFC's struggles.
As it stands tonight, he would return to Toronto in 6-months time.
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The move is apt to upset fans who grew to enjoy the diminutive forwards effort, but is not likely to have much of an impact on the club – under Paul Mariner, Plata did not seem likely to feature a great deal.
Where his loss might be felt is in CCL play, where the less physical nature of the competition allowed Plata to shine in 2011.
The harsh reality is that his size has made it very difficult for him to compete in MLS. Despite being named both the Red Patch Boys and U-Sector player of the year last year, he only had three league goals and was often invisible, especially in road games.
He is still young and is technically gifted, so a 6-month loan stint could end up benefiting both Plata and TFC, if he does return to the team.
Regardless, Toronto fans will always hold a soft spot for the player and the highlight goals he scored, including this one:
In other TFC news, little used midfielder Efrain Burgos Jr was waved. Clubs have to July 1 to wave players, or their entier salary will remain on the cap for the season. Players waved prior to July 1, will only have the salary they have been paid count against the cap.