TFC Republic Weekly: January 12-18

Welcome to the latest edition of TFC Republic Weekly, an email newsletter that will land in the inbox of both paid subscribers and free members of TFC Republic every Monday.

This newsletter will look at what's in store over the next seven days for Toronto FC, and also get a glimpse of what to expect at TFC Republic in the coming days.

So, without further ado...

Happy (belated) New Year! 

I have been on holidays and pretty much offline since Dec. 22, so I didn't get a chance to wish readers a Happy New Year. 

So, I'd just like to take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to all of you for 2026 and say once again how grateful I am for your continued support of TFC Republic. 

Now that my vacation is over you can expect in-depth daily coverage at TFC Republic of Toronto FC during the pre-season ahead of the start of the 2026 MLS campaign next month. 

Toronto FC tables offer for U.S. forward Josh Sargent 

Toronto FC have tabled a $18 million US bid for Norwich City and U.S. international striker Josh Sargent, a source confirmed to TFC Republic. But the same source said that a transfer deal isn't close to being completed. 

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano was the first to report about Toronto's attempt to sign Sargent. 

Sargent, 25, refused to play in Norwich City's 5-1 FA Cup victory over Mansfield on Sunday, according to coach Philippe Clement.

“Josh sent me a message [on Saturday] evening saying he would not be available because of transfer things in his head,” Clement was quoted by the BBC. “This is obviously not something we want and will have consequences. 

“It is something we need to speak about inside the club, but the club has made it really clear to Josh and his agent that he will not be leaving during this transfer window.” 

Toronto GM Jason Hernandez previously said that securing a DP attacker is a top priority this season. Sargent would fit that bill as he has 56 goals in 157 games for Norwich since joining the club in 2021. Previously, Sargent scored 11 goals in 83 games across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga. 

Sargent has 29 caps for the U.S. senior side with five goals and one assist.  

NOTE: We'll have more on this story as it develops over time. 

Training camp kicks off; TFC off to Spain next week 

TFC players reported for medicals this past weekend in Toronto prior to the start of pre-season training camp this week.  

The team will work out at the BMO Training Ground before leaving for Spain on Jan. 20 to begin a three-week camp at the Marbella Football Centre. This is the second year in a row that the Reds have headed to Marbella for training camp. 

Pre-season games in Spain will be announced at a later date. 

The team is scheduled to return to Toronto on Feb. 15 and will then face FC Dallas in Texas in its 2026 MLS season opener on Feb. 21. 

Reds add Walker Zimmerman, Matheus Pereira 

Toronto FC made a number of moves during TFC Republic's holiday hiatus. 

TFC inked centre back Walker Zimmerman through the 2027-28 MLS campaign, landing one of the biggest free agents of the off-season. Zimmerman, a 32-year-old U.S. international, has long been considered one of the best centre backs in the league – he was twice voted the MLS Defender of the Year (2020 and 2021) and has been named to the MLS Best XI on five occasions (2019 to 2023).    

He has proven to be a durable work horse during his career, averaging 24.5 league games and 1,969 minutes per season over the last six years for Nashville SC – although he did miss a lot of time this past year due to a concussion, a knee injury and national team duty.   

The Reds also signed Brazilian left back Matheus Pereira from Portuguese side Clube Desportivo Santa Clara through the 2027-28 MLS season. Pereira, 25, is a versatile player who can also slot in at the winger spot. His age and experience at club level in Europe and South America means he is expected to partner with Richie Laryea as the club's starting fullback duo. 

Toronto parted company with veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson who had his contract option for the 2026 MLS campaign declined by the club at the end of last season. The Reds were in talks with Johnson over a new deal during the winter but ultimately couldn't come to terms. Johnson ended up signing with D.C. United as a free agent. 

Winger Derrick Etienne Jr was also available to join another MLS team as a free agent after having his contract option similarly declined. But the Haitian international ended up signing a new contract with TFC through 2026 with club options for the 2027 and 2027-28 MLS seasons.  

TFC was also busy in the MLS trade market, sending an international roster slot to Minnesota United in exchange for $300,000 US in 2026 general allocation money (GAM). 

CanMNT vs. Guatemala on Saturday 

The Canadian men's team kicks off its 2026 campaign ahead of this summer's FIFA World Cup when it faces Guatemala in a friendly at LA's BMO Stadium on Saturday (10:00 p.m. ET/OneSoccer). 

Given that this match does not fall during a FIFA international window, coach Jesse Marsch's squad largely consists of chosen North American based players who are out of season with their pro clubs. 

Among those who are part of this month's Canadian team are Toronto FC's Richie Laryea, Jonathan Osorio, Luka Gavran and Malik Henry. Other invitees such as defenders Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers) and Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), midfielder Jayden Nelson (Austin FC) and James Pantemis (Portland) will be looking to use this game to help bolster their chances of making Marsch's World Cup squad. 

Canada is ranked 27th in the world, well ahead of No. 94 Guatemala. 

The nations previously met in the Gold Cup quarter-finals last June when the Central Americans prevailing 6-5 in a penalty shootout after the game finished tied 1-1. 

RELATED READING: Newsletter || Features || Match reports || Opinion || Q&As || Videos || News || Transactions || TFC 2 ||

Stories to look out for at TFC Republic     

Toronto FC will have an introductory press conference for new signing Walker Zimmerman on Monday afternoon at the BMO Training Ground. TFC Republic will have an in-depth feature story later today. 

Other stories that will be published later this week include:                             

• A feature story on the top TFC stories to watch out for during pre-season. 
• A notebook news column from training camp here in Toronto. 
• The weekly "TFC Random Thoughts" column.     
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of the Canada vs. Guatemala match.      
• The reader mailbag.        
• Regular "TFC Tidbits" stories throughout the week.     
• The latest instalment in our ongoing "TFC Flashback" series 
• And much more! 

TFC Republic mailbag

TFC Republic will feature a regular reader mailbag column where I answer questions from subscribers about Toronto FC and Canadian soccer in general.

I'll answer the best questions submitted to me by TFC Republic readers, so feel free to drop me an email at jmo1897@gmail.com. You can also reach out to me via Twitter.

(Top photo by Alex Gallardo/Imagn Images)

TFC Republic has a comments section! At the very bottom of every story, there is a feature where you can post your comments, so be sure to share your thoughts and views.