Toronto FC starts season with only 2 designated players, sign defender Zane Monlouis
Toronto FC enters the 2025 MLS season with a unique roster strategy, opting to start with two designated players instead of the maximum of three allowed by the league. The club is actively seeking to part ways with one of their designated players, Italian forward Lorenzo Insigne, who is under contract until June 2026.
Under MLS roster rules, teams can choose between two roster models – one with three designated players and up to three U-22 Initiative players, and the other with up to two designated players and up to four U-22 Initiative players. Toronto FC has decided to go with the latter model for the start of the season, with Canadian fullback Richie Laryea no longer counting as a designated player for salary cap purposes.
Designated players and U-22 Initiative players receive salary cap breaks, with only a portion of their salaries counting against the team’s budget. Insigne, who earned $15.4 million last season, and Federico Bernardeschi, who earned $6.295 million, are the designated players on Toronto’s roster. The club is looking to move Insigne in order to free up cap space and potentially bring in a new forward using targeted allocation money.
Toronto FC recently made a significant addition to their roster by signing 21-year-old centre back Zane Monlouis from England’s Arsenal. Monlouis, who has represented England at youth levels and is also eligible to play for Jamaica, brings a wealth of experience from Arsenal’s academy teams. The young defender signed a two-year deal with club options for 2027 and 2028.
In addition to Monlouis, Toronto FC has been active in the transfer market, bringing in Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen and Canadian winger Theo Corbeanu on loan deals. With Monlouis joining a centre back group that includes Kevin Long, Nicksoen Gomis, and Sigurd Rosted, Toronto FC is looking to shore up their defense after conceding 61 goals last season.
General Manager Jason Hernandez has expressed his excitement about the new additions to the squad, highlighting Monlouis’ potential impact on the team’s defense. Toronto FC is hoping that these roster moves will help them improve on their performance from last season and make a push for the playoffs in 2025.
