Toronto FC has signed former England youth international Matty Longstaff to a two-year contract with an option for 2026.
The 23-year-old midfielder spent the last four seasons with Newcastle United, where his older brother Sean also plays, but only made 20 appearances including 14 Premier League matches. He went out on loan three times.
Matty Longstaff scored on debut in October, 2019, giving the Magpies a 1-0 win over Manchester United. At 19 years 199 days, he became the youngest player to score in his Premier League debut for Newcastle His rocket-like right-footed strike from outside the penalty box was voted Premier League goal of the month, marking the first time a player won the award with a goal on their debut since August, 2016.
The debut earned interest from other European clubs when his contract expired in 2020 but he elected to stay with Newcastle.
Longstaff was released by Newcastle last June after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament injury towards the end of 2022 while on loan to Colchester United in England’s League Two.
Longstaff is the second trialist to join the MLS club after impressing in preseason. TFC signed French defender Nicksoen Gomis from England’s Sheffield United last week to a two-year deal through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027.
To accommodate Longstaff, Toronto sent FC Cincinnati US$175,000 in general allocation money for a 2024 International roster slot. Toronto will send Cincinnati US$25,000 in 2024 and US$150,000 in 2025.
A native of Rotherham, Longstaff began his career with Newcastle, making his pro debut in August, 2019, against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
In August, 2021, he joined Scotland’s Aberdeen FC on loan before moving to League Two side Mansfield Town in England in January, 2022, making a combined 23 appearances for the two clubs. He made 10 appearances for Colchester.
Internationally, the 5-foot-7, 155-pounder made two appearances for the England under-20 team.