in january 2015, toronto acquired altidore and an undisclosed fee from sunderland in exchange for striker jermain defoe. they signed him to a designated player contract. his former mls side, the new york red bulls, were the league's preferred destination for altidore, but toronto was unwilling to accept the cash settlement required to complete the move. altidore later said that his united states teammate michael bradley, who had joined the club the previous season, was an influence in his move to canada. the two were seen on camera talking about the club during the 2014 fifa world cup.