The 31-year-old signed a free transfer with the Loftus Road outfit in January but has played just six times for the club since.

Ben Haim – who has played for Chelsea, Manchester City, Sunderland, Portsmouth, West Ham and Bolton in a career in English football that has spanned almost 10 years – was keen for regular football and should get that with a struggling Toronto side.

The Canadian club are managed by former QPR defender Ryan Nelsen, who was keen to acquire a defender of such experience to boost their fortunes in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.

"Tal Ben Haim has been one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade," Toronto FC president and general manager Kevin Payne said.

"He captains his national team and Ryan thinks the world of him. He's exactly the sort of veteran defender we need."

Toronto FC sit eighth in their MLS division, and have won just one of their 10 matches.

They have conceded 15 goals – only one more side in the MLS has shipped more – and Nelsen will hope the signing of Ben Haim can shore up his leaky defence.