Could be the most expensive MLS transfer
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Josh Sargent becomes a record transfer at Toronto FC. The ex-Bremer comes from Norwich City in the English second division, signs as a designated player until 2031 and costs a transfer fee of 22 million US dollars, the equivalent of 18.7 million euros, plus 5 million (4.2 million) in bonuses. The Canadians have never paid so much for access in their club history. The US national team striker replaces the trio Alejandro Pozuelo, Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe, who were each signed for $10 million.
Even among the most expensive additions in the history of Major League Soccer, Sargent is at the forefront and is currently in third place, but including additional payments could jump to first place and displace him. The South Korean moved from Tottenham Hotspur to LAFC last summer for 22 million euros. However, Sargent is already the most expensive American professional to ever come to the MLS.
In other words, this is a huge deal for Toronto FC and one with strategy. The club’s owners, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, want to use the momentum of the 2026 World Cup to inject momentum into their struggling franchise. Once a power in the MLS, TFC has struggled in recent years and has not made the playoffs since 2019. This is considered unacceptable for a club that is part of one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment groups and operates in one of the most important media markets in North America. Toronto is no longer the leading club in Canada either; it has lost this status to the Vancouver Whitecaps with Thomas Müller.
The expectations of Sargent are likely to be correspondingly high. The 26-year-old leaves Norwich after 157 games with 56 goals and 15 assists and a market value of 20 million euros, making him the most highly valued professional in the MLS. For Werder Bremen there were 24 goals in 83 appearances and for the USA they have five goals and one assist in 29 games. He was last part of the World Cup host squad in September last year.
Werder Bremen receives part of the transfer fee for Sargent
Meanwhile, the people of Bremen, who are struggling in sports, can look forward to being involved. When the Green-Whites sold the attacker to Norwich in August 2021 for 9.5 million euros, according to the “Deichstube”, the North Germans secured a ten percent share of the profits in the event of a resale. With an initial transfer fee of 18.7 million euros, the sum that would flow from the Canaries to Bremen would be around 920,000 euros.
Comments on Sargent’s transfer to Toronto FC
“We are thrilled to welcome Josh to Toronto FC as a fundamental piece of what we have been building here at the club since last summer,” said General Manager Jason Hernandez. “He brings experience at a high level in some of the strongest leagues in the world and with just 26 years of international experience. He is a proven goalscorer, with a winning mentality and the intelligence that will lead our attack for years to come. Josh is just entering the prime of his career while representing our club and our city. As we began discussions with Josh and his representatives, it was very clear that he is not only the right player, but also the right person to lead the culture we have built, We are delighted that he and his family will begin this new journey with us in Toronto.”
Sargent said: “I’m excited to join Toronto FC and begin a new chapter in my life with my family here. I’m grateful to everyone at the club for their trust in me and support throughout the process to make this move possible. I can’t wait to get started and play in front of all the fans at BMO Field.”
