TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Toronto FC have inked midfielder Jayden Nelson to a Homegrown deal, the club announced Thursday. Nelson made his senior Canadian national team debut earlier this month.
Nelson, 17, made 14 appearances for TFC II in USL League One last season. He helped lead Canada to the U-17 World Cup for the first time in the program's history, after scoring five goals in six appearances at the Concacaf U-17 Championships. He was named 2019 Canadian Youth International Player of the Year.
“Jayden is an incredible young player," TFC GM Ali Curtis said in a club statement. "Very explosive and dynamic. Not afraid to take players on in the attacking third. We love his mentality – humble but confident. He was the Canadian Youth International Player of the Year, and it is not surprising. Jayden has all the tools to be a top player. He’s only 17, so we need to be measured with his development, but we believe he can be a very important player for both club and country."
Nelson is the club's 23rd all-time Homegrown signing and third in as many days, following winger Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty and center back Rocco Romeo. The trio of Homegrowns represents the club's only additions thus far as preseason kicks off.
Toronto FC open their 2020 campaign on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes on February 29.
