Josh Sargent completed his move to Toronto from Norwich City in the English Championship on Friday, resolving a challenging situation where he had been relegated to the under-21 squad after declining to participate in an FA Cup match last month.
The 26-year-old Sargent, who has been signed as a designated player until the 2030-31 Major League Soccer season, had notched eight goals in the current season and a total of 56 goals in 157 appearances for Norwich City.
Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, acknowledged Sargent’s contributions to the team, stating, “Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his departure, Josh has played a significant role in the club’s recent history, making substantial contributions and leading the team on numerous occasions. As he moves on, we extend our best wishes for his future endeavors.”
Originally from Missouri, Sargent began his professional career with Werder Bremen in Germany in 2018 before moving to Norwich three years later. Despite being part of the 2022 U.S. World Cup squad, Sargent faces competition from players like Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, and Patrick Agyemang for a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster.
Toronto’s general manager, Jason Hernandez, praised Sargent’s qualities, saying, “He brings extensive experience from some of the top leagues globally and boasts international credentials at just 26 years old. With a proven track record as a goal scorer and a winning mindset, along with the tactical acumen, he is set to lead our attacking line for years to come.”
Sargent has scored five goals in 29 appearances for the U.S. national team, netting his first international goal in his debut against Bolivia in May 2018. While he featured in all three group matches at the 2022 World Cup, he has not found the back of the net in international matches since November 2019 and was absent from the U.S. squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Toronto secured the right of first refusal for Sargent from St. Louis in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money over the next two years, with additional payments contingent on meeting performance benchmarks.
