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Toronto FC sign Spaniard 'Mista'

July 6, 2010

TorontoFC.ca

Toronto FC announced Tuesday that Spanish forward Miguel Angel Ferrer Martinez 'Mista' has signed with the club. Mista's contract will run through to the end of the 2010 MLS season. As per team and league rules, financial details were not released.

"Mista adds a wealth of experience to our team," said TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston. "He’s played at Real Madrid, Valencia CF, and Deportivo La Coruna, which are all world class clubs. Mista is a different type of player from what we have and we are excited to get him in the line-up after July 15."

Mista, 31, joins Toronto FC after spending his entire career in Spain playing almost entirely in the Primera Division (La Liga). The forward spent 2008 to 2010 with Deportivo La Coruna, where he was a teammate of current Toronto FC midfielder Julian de Guzman. Mista's most successful seasons in La Liga came while he was a member of Valencia from 2001 to 2006 when he made 142 appearances, scoring 40 goals. He won two Spanish league titles (2001-02, 2003-04) during that time and was a member of the 2004 UEFA Cup winning squad, where he scored the second goal in a 2-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille of France. By winning that title, Valencia went on to compete in the UEFA Super Cup, where Valencia defeated FC Porto of Portugal 2-0.

Mista began his career under current Internazionale boss and former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez at Real Madrid, where he spent three seasons before moving on to Tenerife, where he helped that club gain promotion into the first division.

Internationally, he made his debut for Spain on March 26, 2005, in a 3-0 friendly win over China and has two caps with the senior squad. He also was a member of the Spanish U-17, U-18 and U-21 sides.

Due to international transfer rules, Mista will not be available for selection until after the FIFA international transfer window opens on July 15.