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Tottenham have confirmed that Jermain Defoe will train with their development squad during the Major League Soccer close season so that the former Spurs striker can maintain his fitness. Defoe, 32, currently plays for Toronto FC but has been linked with a move back to the Premier League in recent weeks. Hull City manager Steve Bruce revealed his interest in signing the forward last week, while Defoe has also been linked to Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City. The England striker posted a message on his Twitter account on Tuesday stating that he was back in England after training in the south of France. Spurs confirmed on Thursday morning that Defoe -- who has signed for the White Hart Lane club twice during his career -- will train with their youth squad for a week. The 32-year-old is thought to be available at the right price in January with his future in MLS in doubt over recent months. The striker told The Guardian back in October that he was "hurt" by Toronto chairman Tim Leiweke's comments regarding his dedication to the club. Lieweke said in September: "My attitude [is] if you want to be here and you want to buy into what we're doing, let's go. Roll up your sleeves and we'll fight together, and I will be there with you every day. "If you don't want to be here, get the hell out of our way." Defoe played for Spurs between 2004 and 2008, joining Portsmouth on loan in January 2008 before signing a permanent deal with the south coast club. The striker returned to White Hart Lane in 2009 and stayed for five years before signing for Toronto in January 2014, though was immediately loaned back to Spurs for a month.
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