11/23/2010: Former Dayton Dutch Lions Player Bas Ent Signs 3 Year Deal With Toronto F.C.

23 year old Bas Ent impressed MLS clubs Toronto F.C. and the Columbus Crew during his time in America with the Dayton Dutch Lions. Ent trialed for Toronto for a week and played 45 minutes for the Canadian club against EPL side Bolton Wanderers. Then Ent got a week trial with the Crew after impressing in a friendly matchup against the Crew (above). However, Toronto will nab the young Dutch winger over Columbus.

11/23/2010: Former Dayton Dutch Lions Player Bas Ent Signs 3 Year Deal With Toronto F.C.

Dutch Topklasser League website, Topklasser.nl, which is the league website of Bas Ent's Dutch side, Katwijk, reported today that 23 year old Bas Ent has signed a three year deal with MLS side Toronto F.C.; A popular Dutch soccer website, VoetbalPrimeur.nl, has also picked up the story. Both of these stories confirm what I've personally heard (used to work at DDL F.C.) from a former Dayton Dutch Lions co-worker a week ago, who said that Ent has signed a three year deal with Toronto F.C.

The Columbus Crew battled Toronto F.C. this Summer a little over Bas Ent; as both TFC and Columbus invited Ent to week long trials. Nevertheless, it looks as if TFC won the battle. Ent will not be a part of the Crew's youth plan; after the other Ohio footballing club declined to re-sign veterans such as Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Frankie Hejduk.

Ent in Columbus would have been preferred for some Dutch Lion fans, who could easily make the hour trek to see former Dutch Lion player Ent play in Columbus. But, Dutch Lions fans will still get a chance to watch Bas when he visits Columbus with Toronto during the 2011 MLS season.

Ent had to say the following on his previous experience at playing at BMO Field for Toronto F.C.:

"Playing in the Toronto stadium for so many fans is the greatest moment of my career so far. I must admit I was a little bit nervous in the beginning. But that feeling was gone as soon as I first touched the ball, and right away I felt confident. I got to keep the jersey, which I will keep in a special place."

Ent better get rid of that nervousness, as it seems that Bas will be making a lot of darting runs on the wing in front of many fans in Toronto, for many years to come, as long as he seizes the opportunity.