By Andrew McKenzie

Welsh has made just 15 league starts for Sunderland

Sunderland winger Andy Welsh is set to become the latest British player to make the move to Major League Soccer.

Welsh, 23, is heading to Canada for a medical before signing a contract with Toronto, after the clubs agreed a deal to end his contract at Sunderland.

His agent David Baldwin said: "Things have not worked out for Andy recently and he is delighted at the chance to take on a new challenge."

Welsh has not featured for Sunderland's first team this season.

The former Stockport winger was recommended to Toronto, who are coached by ex-Scotland striker Mo Johnston, by his former Sunderland team-mate Carl Robinson.

Wales midfielder Robinson sealed a move to Toronto from Norwich in the January transfer window, shortly after David Beckham's high-profile switch to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Manchester-born Welsh has not played for the Sunderland first-team under new manager Roy Keane and was sent out to Leicester for a second loan spell in October.

He joined the Wearside club from Stockport in November 2004.