After Tom Heinemann opted out of the MLS Re-Entry Draft, there was some speculation that he might attend Vancouver Whitecaps FC Training Camp as a trialist and try to earn a spot in the squad.
When training camp began at Thunderbrd Stadium, he was nowhere to be seen. As foggy as it was, it still wouldn’t have hidden Tom’s iconic hairdo. There were jokes that perhaps he had cut it, or tied it into a top knot like Kobayashi Daigo was so fond of, but it was not to be.
On Thursday, he signed with the Ottawa Fury FC of the NASL. “I would like to thank OSEG, Marc Dos Santos, and Martin Nash for the opportunity to join Ottawa Fury FC,” said Heinemann. “This is a special time for the City of Ottawa, and I am honoured to be part of this club. Marc is building a great team and I look forward to getting started.”
No matter how hard CD Chivas' Steven Purdy tried, he couldn't stop Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Tom Heinemann at BC Place on 1 September 2013.
"Tom has scored with every team he’s played for and at all levels in North America – PDL, NASL, MLS," said Ottawa manager Marc Dos Santos. "He’s only reaching his prime age now, and we believe he will grow a lot in our environment. He’s a very hard working forward, very honest in his game, and definitely a team player. He will help this organisation both on and off the field."
Tom was never able to establish himself in the first team under Martin Rennie, never given the chance under Carl Robinson, but by Martin Nash’s involvement in this free transfer, and the fact Tom often captained the Whitecaps reserve side, we know he had the respect of his peers. So long Tom, and Godspeed.