Josh Sargent has joined Toronto FC from Norwich City in a deal worth up to $27m, ending a transfer saga that saw the striker exiled to the under-21 squad after refusing to play in an FA Cup match. The 26-year-old American signed as a designated player through the 2030-31 MLS season.
The transfer fee is reported by ESPN to be $22m, potentially rising to $27m with add-ons, ranking among the largest in MLS history. Toronto also paid St Louis City $500,000 in general allocation money for the right of first refusal.
Sargent had eight goals this season and 56 in 157 appearances for Norwich. He made himself unavailable for the FA Cup tie against Walsall on 11 January to force a move, with Toronto his preferred destination. Norwich subsequently sent him to train with the under-21s.
“Regardless of the manner of his departure, Josh has been a significant part of the club’s recent story,” said Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper. “He now moves on and we wish him well.”
Sargent, a Missouri native, began his European career at Werder Bremen in 2018 before joining Norwich in 2021. He played in all three group matches at the 2022 World Cup for the US but has not scored internationally since November 2019. Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez called him “a proven goal scorer with a winning mentality”.
