Gregory Van Der Wiel (pictured) shown in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal against Brazil on July 2, 2010, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
TORONTO -- Toronto FC announced Thursday the acquisition of Dutch defender Gregory van der Wiel after reaching a transfer agreement with Cagliari, playing in five Serie A games since joining the Italian club in August 2017.
The 29-year-old made his professional debut with Ajax on March 11, 2007. In seven seasons with Amsterdam giant, van der Wiel scored 12 goals in 191 appearances in all competitions (league and cup matches, including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Cup) and capture two league titles and two KNVB Cups.
Following his time at Ajax, van der Wiel moved to French side Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of Ligue 1 in September 2012. In four seasons with PSG, he made 132 appearances in all competitions (26 in UEFA Champions League matches) and scored four goals. With PSG, van der Wiel won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16), back-to-back Coupe de France titles (2014/15, 2015/16), and three consecutive Coupe de la Ligue crowns (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16).
Van der Wiel signed with Turkish club Fenerbahçe after his contract expired with PSG at the end of the 2016 season (17 game in all competitions) and left to join Cagliari after one season.
With the Netherlands, van der Wiel has earned 46 caps. He played in five games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Toronto FC will open its 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League campaign in the round of 16 at fellow Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids on February 20,
