Josh Sargent Joins Toronto FC
US international Josh Sargent completed a high-profile transfer from Norwich City to Toronto FC for over £20 million, signing a five-year contract as a designated player. Sargent scored 56 goals in 157 appearances for Norwich, and his move represents a significant statement for Toronto's MLS ambitions. The transfer fee makes it one of the largest in MLS history for an American player.
The potential total transfer fee for Josh Sargent could reach $27 million, which would make it one of the most expensive signings in Major League Soccer history. This deal surpasses the previous record for an American player in the league. The move is a significant investment for a Toronto FC side that has not made the playoffs since 2020 and is looking to rebuild its roster. Sargent's "Designated Player" contract means his salary is not fully counted against the MLS salary cap, a mechanism the league introduced in 2007 to attract high-profile players. This rule, famously nicknamed the "Beckham Rule," allows teams to sign up to three such players. Toronto FC has previously utilized this to sign international stars like Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Before his time in England, Sargent played for Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga, where he scored 15 goals in 83 appearances. He moved to Norwich City in 2021. During the 2024-25 season, he was voted Norwich City's Player of the Season by the club's supporters. On the international stage, Sargent has represented the United States at multiple levels, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He made his senior debut for the USMNT in 2018, scoring in his first match against Bolivia. In 2017, he uniquely played in both the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups in the same year. Interestingly, this will be Sargent's first time playing in MLS. The Missouri native developed in the St. Louis area before moving directly to Europe to start his professional career. To complete the signing, Toronto FC had to acquire his "right of first refusal" from St. Louis City SC for a significant amount of General Allocation Money.
