Toronto FC Striker Josh Sargent
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Toronto FC Complete MLS Record Transfer for Sargent
Toronto FC has found its striker, signing Josh Sargent after paying an MLS record-setting transfer fee. Sargent will be relied on to deliver goals as Toronto aims to return to past glory.
Toronto FC is no stranger to making a splash in Major League Soccer. From signing Jermain Defoe to bringing in Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus, TFC has always been bold. The club is owned by MLSE, who also own major Toronto sports teams, including the Maple Leafs and Raptors.
Sargent, 26, joins Toronto FC as their newest Designated Player. He did not come cheap. TFC paid a reported £20 million ($26.9 million USD) transfer fee to Norwich City FC of the EFL Championship.
Sargent established himself in the EFL Championship with two strong seasons at Norwich. During his time with the Canaries, the American striker scored 56 goals in 157 appearances.
Sargent arrived in Toronto and was greeted by club legends Dwayne De Rosario and Giovinco. The American striker expressed gratitude toward TFC management for believing in him and is eager to get started.
“I am grateful to everyone at the club for their belief in me and all the support throughout the process to make this move possible. From the initial conversations with Toronto FC, what excited me the most about the project was the ambition to be a competitive and winning team,” Sargent said in a press release.
He added: “I can’t wait to hit the ground running and play in front of all the fans at BMO Field.”
Toronto FC Hopes to Return to Top of MLS Standings
Toronto FC are hopeful that Josh Sargent can play a key role in getting the club back to the top of the MLS standings. The TFC faithful fondly remember the period from 2016 to 2018. They reached the MLS Cup final in back-to-back seasons, as well as the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
During that time, Toronto set a then-MLS record for points in a season in 2017. That season, they completed the domestic treble, winning the Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup, and the Canadian Championship.
Despite their deep pockets and championship aspirations, TFC have failed to meet expectations in recent years. Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne did not deliver results and were bought out last July. As a result, Toronto FC completely restructured their roster.
With the addition of Sargent, the club believes they have the pieces in place to achieve success.
“When we started conversations with Josh and his representation, it was very evident that he isn’t just the right player, but the right person to elevate the culture we have been building,” Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez said in a press release.
Ex-Premier League Striker Praises Norwich For Handling Sargent Transfer to TFC
Former Premier League striker-turned-pundit Don Goodman praised Norwich for their handling of Sargent’s transfer to Toronto.
Sargent indicated that he wanted to move to MLS, so he could be closer to family. While that may be viewed as operating from a position of weakness, Norwich instead maximized their return.
Goodman said the Norwich’s management is a strong example that Premier League clubs can learn from.
“The fact that [Norwich have] done so well without Josh Sargent is brilliant,” Goodman told Grosvenor Casinos. If all clubs were as strong a Norwich have been with players, then you wouldn’t get the Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa issues and all of that kind of rubbish that went on last summer.”