Transaction tracker: TFC lands Emilio Aristizábal on loan
Toronto FC has acquired the forward from Colombian side Atlético Nacional on loan for the duration of the 2026 MLS season.
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Feb. 17, 2026: Reds add Aristizábal via a loan deal
Toronto FC acquires forward Emilio Aristizábal from Colombian club Atlético Nacional on loan for the duration of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
Quick analysis: In a long overdue move, Toronto FC have finally made a move this off-season to bolster its anaemic attack.
TFC had the third worst offensive record in MLS last year (tied with Austin FC) with just 37 goals but had yet to make any signings this winter to bolster their attacking fortunes ahead of the 2026 season which kicks off this weekend.
While the club still needs to secure a DP forward to lead the attacking line, the signing of Emilio Aristizábal appears to be a step in the right direction for the Reds.
Aristizábal, 20, came up through the youth system at Atlético Nacional, one of the top clubs in Colombia, before making his senior team debut in 2023. He had two assists in 15 appearances for the team before being loaned out to fellow Colombian side Fortaleza F.C. where he has bagged 12 goals and two assists in 36 games. He's also played for Colombia’s under-20 team, including at last year's FIFA U-2o World Cup in Chile where his country reached the semifinals and finished third.
He's a versatile player who can fill in as a winger, but he's primarily a striker, the same position his dad played during his career. Víctor Aristizábal featured for some of the biggest clubs in Colombia and Brazil and was part of his country's World Cup squad in 1994 and 1998.
Aristizábal is the type of player profile that Toronto desperately needs: a young, dynamic attacker who can unbalance opposing defenders with his speed and touch on the ball. Given his skill set, it'll be interesting to see how effectively he links up with DP midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, the club's chief creative playmaker.
His arrival should be a warning for forwards Deandre Kerr and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, both 23 years old, who combined for five goals in 27 league appearances last season. Aristizábal will challenge the Canadian duo for a higher spot on team’s forward depth chart, putting even more pressure on them to perform this season.
Some South American players have thrived when they have arrived in MLS. Some haven’t due to a variety of issues, including culture shock and language barriers. So, it’ll be interesting to see how Aristizábal fares, especially because of his young age and the fact he’s never played his club football outside of his home country.
It is a bit of a gamble for TFC to take a chance on Aristizábal, but it’s well worth it to take because it’s only a loan deal. This is essentially a trial for both the Colombian and TFC/ If things don’t work out for Aristizábal, Toronto can send him back to Atlético Nacional at the end of his loan. If he settles into life in MLS, TFC can sign him on a permanent basis.
It should also be noted that because Aristizábal is a U22 Initiative player, he comes with a reduced salary cap. Players signed by MLS teams using the U22 Initiative rule only cost between $150,000 to $200,000 US against the salary cap, depending on their age, which further mitigates any risks taken by TFC.
The club hasn't had much luck with U22 Initiative players.
Ayo Akinola was signed to a U22 Initiative deal in 2022 when he was regarded as one of the league's top young forwards. But his career took a drastic nosedive after that due to injuries and a loss of form, which led to the mutual termination of his contract in May 2024. Cassius Mailula was also signed by Toronto in July 2023 as a U22 Initiative player, but the South African forward has been sent out on two separate loans.
Will TFC have better luck this time around with Aristizábal, who is the team's first South American to be signed as a U22 Initiative player? Time will tell.
Aristizábal will occupy an international roster slot. He'll also sit on the team's senior roster, as opposed to its supplemental roster.
“We are thrilled to have Emilio join us in anticipation of the 2026 season,” GM Jason Hernandez said in a media release.
“Emilio has established himself as one of Colombia’s top young attacking talents, and we are excited to begin our journey together. He is coming off a strong 2025 in his first full senior campaign, delivering an impressive offensive output at just 19 years old, and we look forward to his continued growth at our club."
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