Toronto FC announced the signing of Josh Sargent from Norwich City in the English League Championship. The 26-year-old striker, who had previously been relegated to the under-21 squad for refusing to play in an FA Cup match, has joined as a designated player until the end of the 2030-31 Major League Soccer season.
Sargent, who scored eight goals this season and a total of 56 goals in 157 appearances for Norwich, was praised by Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, despite the circumstances of his departure. Knapper acknowledged Sargent’s significant contributions to the club and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Originally from Missouri, Sargent signed with Werder Bremen in 2018 before moving to Norwich in 2021. A member of the 2022 U.S. World Cup team, Sargent faces competition for a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster from players like Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, and Patrick Agyemang.
Toronto FC’s general manager, Jason Hernandez, highlighted Sargent’s experience in top leagues and his goal-scoring ability, emphasizing his potential to lead the team’s attack for years to come. Sargent, with five goals in 29 international appearances, made his U.S. debut in 2018 and featured in the 2022 World Cup group stage matches.
Despite not scoring internationally since November 2019 and missing out on the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster, Sargent remains a promising talent. Toronto secured Sargent’s rights from St. Louis in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money over two years, with additional incentives based on performance metrics.