Toronto FC announced Friday that the club has acquired midfielder Collen Warner from the Montreal Impact in exchange for midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran and allocation money. As per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We felt the need to acquire an experienced MLS central midfielder like Collen Warner was necessary as we approach the break, coupled with the loss of Michael to the U.S. National team,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Collen provides a different look in the midfield for us and to be successful in this League you need to be multidimensional. Collen is someone we strongly admire as a player and who believe can help us achieve our goals. We are pleased to welcome Collen to Toronto FC and expect him to fit in well with our group. We’d also like to thank Issey for all of his contributions to our club and wish him well in Montreal.”
Warner, 25, made 66 combined appearances, with one goal and one assist in MLS league play, MLS Playoffs, the Amway Canadian Championship, and CONCACAF Champions League in three seasons for Montreal. He was part of the Impact’s 2013 Amway Canadian Championship winning side, playing in all four matches during the tournament. Warner was acquired by the Impact in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft after being left exposed by Real Salt Lake. He was originally drafted in the first round (15th overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft from the University of Portland by Real Salt Lake and remained with the club for two seasons.
Nakajima-Farran, 30, signed for Toronto FC on March 28, 2014 and made a combined seven appearances between MLS league play and the Amway Canadian Championship; scoring two goals. His first career MLS goal came in the 85th minute on April 5 in Columbus, after coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over the Crew. To date, Nakajima-Farran has earned 30 caps for the Canadian National team, and has scored one goal.
COLLEN WARNER
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’10
Weight: 178 lbs.
Birthdate: June 24, 1988
Birth Place: Denver, Colorado
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Nationality: American
Last Club: Montreal Impact
How Acquired: Trade with Montreal Impact on Friday, May 16, 2014 in exchange for midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran and allocation money
Pronunciation: “Call-in War-nurr”