Ryan Nelsen: 'Jermain Defoe in the MLS would be incredible'

Toronto boss Ryan Nelsen has said that he would love to make Tottenham Hotspur's Jermain Defoe a part of his team, with the manager praising the striker's all-round qualities.

Defoe hasn't had much playing time under Andre Villas-Boas of late, with the Spurs manager preferring to start with new signing Roberto Soldado in attack.

"Jermain Defoe in this league? Look what [Marco] Di Vaio has done! My goodness – incredible player. One of the most natural goalscorers I have ever come across. Always out training, always trying to score, a great guy," Nelsen told Sky Sports News.

"To get a guy like Defoe for the MLS, I cannot think of many that are more suited. I think if you ask most Premier League teams, they would take Defoe. It would be incredible. I call him and text him all the time.

"Him playing in Toronto would be phenomenal. If you look around the world and try and think of a realistic player – and I am not sure how realistic he is – that complements a league like ours, never gets injured, doesn't drink, can play high, low, scores all sorts of goals – do you know something I don't? Can you go over and sell it to him?"

Tottenham are currently fourth in the Premier League table.