TORONTO FC are putting faith in new acquisition, Jamaican international Ryan Johnson, as they seek to revive their flagging fortunes in the United States Major League Soccer (MLS).

Snapped up last Thursday from San Jose Earthquakes for a reported fee of £350,000 (JMD$47,345,000), the 26-year-old, 6ft-1in, Johnson was targeted by Toronto FC’s director of player development Paul Mariner, who has been impressed with the striker since he was at Oregon State Beavers (2003-2005).

On the club’s website Wariner said: “I’ve known him as a kid when he was at (Oregon State) University. I tracked him for a long time. He’s had a terrific career at San Jose, scoring goals and assisting on goals and creating mayhem on defences with his pace.

“He’s 6-1, he’s got tremendous height, he gets up, he’s a constant threat. He’s a great guy, which is very important. His character is fantastic, so we’re absolutely delighted to get him,” said Wariner.

Toronto head coach Aron Winter, a Dutchman, noted: “I’ve had some time to watch certain players in the league. (Terry) Dunfield and Johnson were two of them that I liked, and I thought would fit into our system and the way we want to play,” he said.

With Toronto FC in the bottom three of the overall ranking in the 18-team MLS, Johnson took part in full first-team scrimmage in training session Monday morning.

Following announcements last Thursday that Toronto have acquired Johnson, Winter said: “We are pleased to add an experienced forward in Ryan Johnson. We expect him to make an immediate impact at our club.”