Quakes chasing a Canary?

Besides things we’d rather forget — like the fact that Columbus set a team record with 18 corner kicks on Saturday, and the Crew’s Robbie Rogers was named MLS Player of the Week after his brace against the Quakes — there’s one interesting item in the news, courtesy of the UK-based publication Pink’un.

According to their story, the Quakes and Toronto FC are both chasing former Norwich City forward Darren Huckerby:

The 32-year-old was axed by Norwich manager Glenn Roeder last week and is being linked with a whole host of new challenges after his four-and-a-half years at Carrow Road, with a move overseas looking the favourite.

Huckerby has already been rumoured to be heading for Toronto, who are in their second season in Major League Soccer, with reports at the weekend claiming San Jose Earthquakes are also interested.

However, Toronto would appear to have the advantage - they already have former Norwich team-mates Jim Brennan and Carl Robinson, who are currently captain and vice-captain respectively - on their books and, according to the report, have first refusal on the player.

Huckerby is primarily a forward but can also play on the left wing. His career stats with the Canaries show a total of 48 goals in 203 appearances, although his output dropped to just five goals in 37 total appearances in the recently completed 2007-08 season. His Wikipedia entry notes that he was named Norwich City player of the year in 2005 and 2007.