Josh Sargent Joins Toronto FC
US international Josh Sargent completed a transfer from Norwich City to Toronto FC in a deal reportedly worth over £20 million. Sargent, 26, leaves Norwich having scored 56 goals in 157 appearances and joins Toronto FC on a five-year contract. This major MLS signing reflects the league's continued investment in prime-age international talent.
The transfer fee for Josh Sargent is one of the largest in MLS history, with Toronto FC paying a reported $22 million up front, a figure that could rise to $27 million with add-ons. This surpasses the club's previous record signings of Alejandro Pozuelo, Michael Bradley, and Jermain Defoe. To complete the deal, Toronto also had to acquire Sargent's right of first refusal from St. Louis CITY SC for a significant amount of General Allocation Money. Sargent's move to Toronto was precipitated by a desire to force a transfer from Norwich City. The situation escalated to the point where he refused to play in an FA Cup match and was subsequently exiled to train with the under-21 squad. Despite the messy departure, Norwich's sporting director acknowledged Sargent's significant contributions to the club. Before his time in England, Sargent began his European career in Germany with Werder Bremen, signing with them in 2018. He scored on his first-team debut with his very first touch, the fastest goal by a debutant in the club's history. In 83 total appearances for the German side, he scored 15 goals and provided nine assists. Internationally, Sargent has earned 29 caps and scored five goals for the U.S. Men's National Team. He was a member of the 2022 World Cup squad, starting in two of the three group stage matches. However, he has not scored an international goal since November 2019. This signing is part of a broader roster overhaul for Toronto FC, which has not made the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since 2020. Sargent joins fellow USMNT players Djordje Mihailovic and Walker Zimmerman as key recent additions for a team looking to return to contention.
