TORONTO -- Toronto FC has traded Canadian midfielder Julian de Guzman to FC Dallas in exchange for forward Andrew Wiedeman.

"Losing someone like Julian is never easy but this deal gives us increased flexibility to address areas where we have more pressing needs and opens up a designated player spot for our club," Paul Mariner, Toronto FC's head coach and director of soccer operations, said in a statement.

The 31-year-old de Guzman originally signed with Toronto FC as the club's first designated player in September 2009.

The Toronto native had two goals and eight assists in 65 league appearances for Toronto FC.

Prior to joining Toronto, he spent time with Deportivo La Coruna of the Spanish La Liga and Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga.

De Guzman has also earned 56 caps for the Canadian men's national team.

De Guzman's US$1.9-million contract expires in December. He said earlier this week he had hoped to stay in his native Toronto.

"We're in the early stages of talking about it right now," he said Tuesday when asked about his contract status. "Trying to figure out what the best possibility is. It's going to take some time. Hopefully I'd like to know, I guess both parties like to know what's going to happen. But I believe we just started talking, so we'll see what happens."

Asked about his preference, he said: "I'm happy here, it would be great for me to continue my career here. We'll just have to wait and see how both sides feel about it."

De Guzman, however, found himself more on the outside looking in as Mariner went to a 4-4-2 system that revolved around Torsten Frings and Terry Dunfield in central midfield, with more offensive players on the flank.

FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said de Guzman is a good fit for his team's system.

"He will give FC Dallas an additional veteran that can solidify our possession style of play," he said in a statment. "He also has a bit of toughness to him that will help us win 50-50 balls and control the central midfield."

Wiedeman, 22, has made eight MLS appearances. He was selected 21st overall in the 2010 SuperDraft.