Award-winning rapper reveals he talked to Defoe over move to Toronto FC

Jermain Defoe

Canadian rapper Drake has revealed that he played a role in persuading Jermain Defoe to make the move from Tottenham Hotspur to Toronto FC. Defoe was unveiled as a Toronto player today and Drake – an ambassador for the city’s NBA side the Toronto Raptors – has lifted the lid on the role that he played in persuading the striker to move to the MLS.

“I don’t know if I had an influence on (Defoe) coming here”, opened Drake. “I think that all I did was give him the necessary information about a city he didn’t know much about.”

“I told him how great it has been to me, and how great I assumed it would be to him. We had a great conversation. We built up a personal relationship. I’m excited to see him begin his career here. I just do what I can.”

Defoe will move to Toronto at the end of February for a fee of £6 million and is set to earn up to £90,000 per week. He has signed a four year deal, which will take him to within a few months of his 35th birthday.

Tottenham have not lost a competitive game in which Defoe has scored since October 2012. His last 20 goals – across league, European competition and both domestic cups- have seen Spurs wins or draws.