Search for marquee attacker continues but Toronto FC appears set on backline

By Canadian Press on January 6, 2026.

TORONTO — While the search for a marquee attacker continues, Toronto FC appears to have settled on its backline as players prepare to report to training camp this weekend.

Newly acquired veteran centre back Walker Zimmerman will lead the defence, mentoring 19-year-old Lazar Stefanovic, 22-year-old Zane Monlouis and 23-year-old Nicksoen Gomis. Canadian international Richie Laryea and Brazilian newcomer Matheus Pereira will be the club’s bookends at fullback.

Both Laryea and Hernandez can also play wingback.

“What we like about Pereira is that he’s flexible on the left side,” said Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez. “He has a lot of quality with the ball but he has a big engine. He’s quite rapid.”

Hernandez believes the 32-year-old Zimmerman, a two-time MLS Defender of the Year, will have the kind of positive impact on and off the field that Drew Moor did when he joined ahead of the 2017 season. Moor, then 31 and a free agent signing from Colorado, helped the team to MLS Cup finals in 2016, ’17 and ’19.

“What (Zimmerman) is going to bring to us both on the pitch and off the pitch, we think is certainly going to be a massive add,” said Hernandez. “Certainly there’s a lot of parallels there (with Moor).”

Henry Wingo is another experienced defensive option with young Canadians Kobe Franklin, who impressed last season, and Adam Pearlman also available.

And with veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson leaving for D.C. United, Luka Gavran goes into camp as the club’s No. 1.

“For us we’re quite happy with the (goalkeeping) space,” said Hernandez. “We’ll probably look to still make it a little bit more robust but we’re quite positive in backing Luka in this moment.”

The 25-year-old Gavran, taken in the second round (31st overall) of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, has made 21 appearances for TFC in all competitions to date. The only other goalkeeper with a first-team contract currently is 21-year-old Adisa De Rosario.

Gavran has been called into Canada coach Jesse Marsch’s California camp for out-of-season players.

Hernandez said while there were discussions with Johnson about a possible return to the club, TFC did not go after Canadian internationals Dayne St. Clair or Max Crepeau.

St. Clair and Crepeau eventually signed with Inter Miami and Orlando City, respectively.

Toronto is still looking to add to an offence that tied for 27th last season, averaging 1.09 goals a game with Theo Corbeanu’s six goals leading the club.

Hernandez is looking for a designated player to bolster the attack this season.

Noting that the European transfer window is now open (it closes Feb. 2), Hernandez says TFC is “very optimistic about some of the opportunities that we’re working through.”

“It’s certainly top of the priority list and we’ll keep plugging away … There’s a few profiles that we feel really strongly about,” he added. “You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. But if we are successful in the work, I think all parties — specifically the folks that support TFC — will feel positive when it’s all said and done.”

Hernandez says the club has yet to decide on its so-called roster construction path, either going with up to three designated players and up to three U-22 Initiative players or up to two DPs and up to four U-22 Initiative players, which comes with up to an additional $2 million (all figures in U.S., dollars) in general allocation money.

“I think we’ll have a really strong sense after the close of the European (transfer) window,” the HM said.

Attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic is the only DP currently on Toronto’s books.

DPs and U-22 Initiative players both offer salary cap breaks under Major League Soccer’s labyrinthine roster rules.

Zimmerman was a DP with Nashville last year, when he earned $3.5 million. Toronto used targeted allocation money to convert him to a non-DP.

And while the veteran defender missed times last season with a concussion — the second of his career — and knee injury, Hernandez says there are no concerns about his health.

Toronto traded an international player slot to Minnesota United for $300,000 earlier this week. Hernandez says the club has more available, although it is holding on to some with an eye to future acquisitions.

The GM anticipates several more signings, both in starting and support roles.

“There’s still a handful that’ll come through the door between now and potentially when we take off for pre-season.” he said.

Players are scheduled to report for weekend medicals in Toronto before flying to Spain on Tuesday for a three-week training camp in Marbella. The squad is slated to return Feb. 15 ahead of the Feb. 21 season opener at FC Dallas.

Toronto, which finished 12th in the Eastern Conference at 6-14-14 last year, is looking to snap a five-year playoff drought.

—

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2026.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press