Trade: Kevin Harmse To Chivas USA

Toronto FC has traded midfielder Kevin Harmse to Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money, the teams announced on Wednesday. The move was made at the player's request, according to a statement from TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston.

"Kevin requested a move back to the U.S.," said Johnston. "We tried very hard to hang on to him, but this move is what's best for Kevin right now."


Harmse, a 24-year-old Canadian who was born in South Africa, broke into Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy back in 2007. Prior to that, he played briefly in Slovakia (FC Nitra) and Norway (Tromsø IL), as well as with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL.

After scoring one goal in 17 appearances (13 starts), the Galaxy traded Harmse to Toronto FC in exchange for a fourth-round pick prior to the 2008 season. In Toronto, Harmse made 28 appearances (21 starts) over two seasons and scored an important game-winning goal for TFC in a 1-0 victory over Vancouver in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

On the international side of things, Harmse has made nine appearances with the Canadian National Team since 2007 and was recently included on the country's 23-man roster for the upcoming Gold Cup.