Jermain Defoe has made it clear that he does not want to leave Toronto FC anytime soon.
The 31-year old English striker was constantly linked with a return to the Premier League during their recent transfer window with the likes of QPR, Leicester City and even Arsenal showing interest.
There were rumours swirling that Defoe was keen to exit BMO Field, especially after former teammate Ryan Nelsen was sacked as head coach, but he insists that he is committed to the TFC cause as he gets set to return from a month on the sidelines with a groin injury.
"In England, it's normal - where there's speculation about players leaving, players going," Defoe said ahead of the weekend's home clash with Portland Timbers.
"At the end of the day I'm still a TFC player and I'm totally committed to the cause.
"For me it was sort of like 'Oh here we go again,'" he added. "It was just normal.
"I didn't really pay too much attention to it because I think my main focus was trying to get fit. People that know me, they know I love playing football and I find it really it difficult to be on the sidelines. Especially at such a crucial time, pushing for the playoffs.
"I want to be involved, I want to score goals, I want to push the club forward."
Defoe has scored 11 goals in 16 MLS outings since joining Toronto who currently sit seventh on the Eastern Conference table, three points out of the play-off zone.
