TORONTO -- Joe Bendik got a new start in Orlando on Monday while Toronto FC picked up a fourth-round pick for its former No. 1 goalkeeper.

For Toronto, it was a modest return -- a conditional pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft -- for a player whose contract option it declined in early December. Bendik subsequently opted out of the MLS Re-entry Draft, allowing Toronto to send him somewhere he wanted to go.

The trade to Orlando moves Bendik closer to his Georgia roots.

In central Florida, the 26-year-old Bendik will likely battle 23-year-old Earl Edwards Jr. for the No. 1 job. Orlando opted not to pick up the option of incumbent Tally Hall.

"Joe is a proven goalkeeper who has significant amount of experience within the league," Orlando head coach Adrian Heath said in a statement. "We're looking forward to working with him as he's a strong competitor who comes highly recommended."

TFC announced his departure in a two-paragraph release Monday.

"Thank you Toronto for an awesome 3 years!" Bendik tweeted Dec. 10. "It has been consistently entertaining to say the least!"

Toronto is looking for a new 'keeper after also declining the option of Chris Konopka, who retained the starting position after filling in for Bendik while he was sidelined by a foot injury early this season.

Bendik was originally acquired in a December 2012 trade with the Portland Timbers. In three seasons with Toronto, he made 73 MLS appearances with a record of 18-35-20.

Like many parts of its history, Toronto has had a rocky road in goal. Bendik won the job in 2013 after incumbent Stefan Frei was injured in spring training. Frei never got a chance to get his job back and his rights were eventually traded for a first-round pick to Seattle, where he is now the starter.

Bendik played 33 games in 2013, earning a boost in salary, and 27 in 2014 when he was shunted to the bench in favour of Brazilian World Cup 'keeper Julio Cesar at the start of the season. But, in a show of what comes round goes round, he found himself in 2015 on the outs like Frei when he got injured.

A fine shot-stopper, Bendik was not helped by a revolving-door approach to defending. And while he got a cameo start later in the season, it was clear team executives had for some reason lost confidence in him.

Attempts to reach Bendik via Toronto and Orlando were not immediately successful Monday.

Bendik signed with the Timbers in February 2012 after spending two seasons with Norway's Sogndal. He played four seasons at Clemson University.