TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
After months of speculation, Toronto FC are ready to use their No. 1 spot in the Allocation Order. TFC have agreed to terms with US men's national team center back Omar Gonzalez, the club announced Monday. The news was first reported by Kristian Jack of TSN. Targeted Allocation Money was used to complete the signing.
Gonzalez, 30, will be eligible to join the squad on July 9 when the Secondary Transfer Window opens.
“Adding Omar will improve our team. He is a great competitor that will approach every training session and match with a high level of intensity. He’ll also be able to add a greater presence in the air for us, both offensively and defensively. And, while he has won numerous trophies during his career on the club and international level, he is hungry to be part of championship team in Toronto,” said Toronto FC GM Ali Curtis in a statement. “We were looking for a very specific profile of player. Omar’s a good guy. He will fit in well with the group, and he will be a welcome addition to the locker room and daily environment.”
The USMNT defender returns to MLS after starring for LA Galaxy between 2009-15, winning three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, 2014) and two Supporters Shields (2010, 2011). He made 180 appearances for the Galaxy and won the MLS Defender of the Year Award in 2011. He was named to the MLS Best XI four times (2010-11, 2013-14) during his time in L.A.
Gonzalez joined Pachuca in Liga MX in 2016, making 87 appearances for the club before joining Atlas on loan in 2018. Gonzalez has earned 49 caps for the US national team. He was part of the US 2013 and 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup winning sides; and the roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. His most recent cap came on March 27, 2019 in a 1-1 friendly match against Chile. Gonzalez was recently named to the preliminary US squad for the upcoming 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Toronto FC acquired the top slot in the Allocation Order from FC Cincinnati and $300,000 in total allocation money in exchange for defender Nick Hagglund in January.
