Jermain Defoe training at Tottenham Hotspur during MLS offseason

Jermain Defoe is back at Tottenham Hotspur! Sort of. The diminutive striker, much loved by Tottenham fans worldwide and sold at the beginning of last season to MLS side Toronto FC, has returned to White Hart Lane... but only to train.

We can confirm that @IAmJermainDefoe will train with our Development Squad for the next week to maintain fitness during MLS close season.

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2015

Transfer rumors have been swirling around Defoe since almost immediately after his transfer to the Canadian MLS franchise last summer. Reportedly disaffected by the turmoil in Toronto and the state of his current club, Defoe has been not-so-quietly agitating for a return to the Premier League. He's been linked with mid-to-bottom table clubs such as Hull City, Queens Park Rangers, and Sunderland in this January window, either on loan or as a permanent transfer. Strangely enough, he hasn't been at all linked back to Spurs.

Training with the Hotspurs isn't a new thing for English MLS clubs: David Beckham did it back in 2011, as did former Spur Robbie Keane in 2013. Spurs are usually very welcoming to former players, and the very high quality of Tottenham's training facilities make it an attractive option for footballers wanting to keep fit during the MLS offseason. Plus, this is a good opportunity for Harry Kane to give Defoe some tips and advice before he heads back for the start of the new MLS season, right?