Report: Red Bulls Pick up Eckersley from Toronto FC

Confirming speculation on Twitter yesterday, Kristian Dyer at Big Apple Soccer is reporting the Red Bulls have acquired Richard Eckersley from Toronto FC.

Eckersley, a 24-year-old who played his youth soccer with Manchester United, made 72 appearances for Toronto FC since joining on loan from Burnley. In 2012, he made the jump across the Atlantic permanent.

Last season, the redheaded right back made 16 appearances for the Reds, all starts.

The question, for the new-look TFC, was what to do with Eckersley's salary. Last season, he was paid $210,000, and with Toronto going through a complete remodeling, they need the space.

Our SBNation colleagues, Waking the Red, note that TFC was expected to buy him out after failing to find a buyer abroad or a trade partner at home. They seem to think the Red Bulls -- who are having salary cap troubles of their own -- are taking Eckersley off their hands. That lets Toronto keep their buyout and some leeway in remaking their roster.

Of course, that's all speculation and one of the guys on the other side, Tim Bezbatchenko knows all the league's crazy roster rules. So we'll see. But for now, it seems we got a new right back.