Josh Sargent Joins Toronto FC in Major Transfer

Toronto FC has secured the services of U.S. international forward Josh Sargent from Norwich City, sources confirm to The Athletic. This move marks the end of a complex situation that became public when Sargent requested to be excluded from Norwich’s FA Cup squad last month. Following this, he was relegated to training with the club’s Under-21 team and didn’t feature in the first team again, missing Norwich’s final eight games as his relationship with the club deteriorated.

Despite the club’s initial insistence that Sargent, under contract until 2028, would not be sold, Toronto FC has ultimately prevailed. The deal is reported to be an initial fee of $22 million USD (£16.3m), with potential add-ons bringing the total to $27 million USD (£20m). This surpasses Toronto’s previous bid of $18 million, which was deemed insufficient by Norwich. The transfer fee positions itself among the largest in MLS history, trailing only Son Heung-min’s move to LAFC ($26.5 million) and Emmanuel Latte Lath’s transfer to Atlanta United ($22 million).

Sargent: A Key Addition to Toronto FC’s Rebuilt Squad

Josh Sargent immediately becomes a focal point for Toronto FC’s revamped roster. He will lead the attack alongside designated player Djordje Mihailovic, supported by the addition of free agent center-back Walker Zimmerman and central midfielder Jose Cifuentes. This influx of talent signals a clear intent from Toronto FC to compete at a higher level.

USMNT Future and Club Performance

Sargent remains hopeful of reclaiming his place in the USMNT squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup. He has earned 29 caps for his country, with his last appearance in September. However, he hasn’t scored for the U.S. since 2019, facing competition from Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, and Patrick Agyemang for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s forward line.

Despite his international goal drought, Sargent’s club form has been impressive. He was named to the EFL Championship Team of the Season last year, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists in 32 appearances. This season, he added seven league goals before his falling out with Norwich and manager Philippe Clement.

Since joining Norwich in 2021, Sargent has scored 56 goals in 157 appearances across all competitions, showcasing his consistent goal-scoring ability.

A Return to North America

The move to Toronto is particularly meaningful for Sargent and his family, who recently welcomed their third child. It marks their return to North America for the first time since Sargent’s move to Werder Bremen in Germany at the age of 18. The St. Louis native specifically expressed his desire to join Toronto FC this winter, despite interest from clubs in England and Germany.

Revitalizing Toronto FC

Toronto FC has faced a challenging period in recent years, despite significant financial investment. High-profile signings like Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi failed to translate into playoff success, and the club experienced instability with coaching changes and other questionable acquisitions. However, with the appointment of Jason Hernandez as GM and the overhaul of the squad, Toronto FC appears to be on a path to recovery. The departures of Insigne and Bernardeschi, coupled with expiring contracts, have cleared the way for a new era. Toronto FC aims to be a serious contender in 2026, built around its new core of players.

Source: The Athletic