Lambe can’t wait for Defoe link-up

Reggie Lambe can’t wait to link up with England striker Jermain Defoe and help the Spurs striker surge to the top of the MLS goal charts.

Lambe, currently in pre-season training ahead of Toronto FC’s first league game on March 15, believes Defoe — who has 55 caps and 19 goals for his country — will be an ideal fit for the club when he joins from Tottenham next Friday.

The Reds have also recruited USA midfielder Michael Bradley from Roma, striker Gilberto from Internacional and Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar on loan from QPR.

Bermuda’s Lambe says things are finally looking up at Toronto, who have been consistent strugglers near the base of the Eastern Conference.

“I didn’t know Jermain (Defoe) before he joined TFC,” Lambe told RedNation Online. 

“But I have played against him before when I was at Ipswich and we had a reserve game against Tottenham.

“I am looking forward to training with him and getting to know him and combining with him to score plenty of goals this season.

“I think Jermain will fit in perfectly in this league. He will be a top goalscorer and he will help us to get forward. 

“We brought in Gilberto as well, so with those two up front, hopefully it will get us plenty of goals.”

Lambe also believes he will benefit from knowing manager Ryan Nelsen’s methods and hopes to be used in a more attacking mode this year. He said: “In training I have been playing right and left midfield and I have been tucking in a lot and just getting more involved than I did last year. It is looking much better this season. 

“We have brought in a number of players and we still have our base from last season, so hopefully we will push on and do well this year. 

“I think I will be more offensive this year because we have that base of central midfielders, some of whom will sit back and allow me to get forward more. That’s something I really look forward to.

“I think I can help some of the players to understand the league a bit quicker and to help them settle in. I’m trying to learn Portuguese right now, so I can speak with Gilberto a little bit and also some Spanish so I can speak with Alvaro (Rey) and Matty (Laba). 

“I’m just trying to help the team any way I can and to get to know all the new players a bit more and just help the team to strive.”