Toronto FC continues having a busy summer on the transfer market. After trading Alejandro Pozuelo to Inter Miami and reportedly closing the deal for Italy international Federico Bernardeschi, Toronto has now also brought in MLS All-Star midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye.
Kaye arrives from Colorado Rapids in a trade that will see Toronto give up a significant package. The Rapids get $1.025 million in general allocation money (GAM), midfielder Ralph Priso, a 2023 international roster spot, and a first-rounder in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
The move represents a homecoming for Kaye, who was born in Toronto and started his professional career with Toronto FC’s youth academy. He played 22 games for the reserve team before heading to Louisville City in 2016.
Kaye will also reunite with head coach Bob Bradley, who was the main figure behind the trade. The duo previously worked together at LAFC between 2018 and 2021, where the Canada international played his best soccer. In 89 games with LAFC, Kaye scored nine goals and added 17 assists en route to one All-Star appearance.
“Over the past five seasons, Mark has established himself as one of the better two-way midfielders in the league,” sad Bradley. “He’s an intelligent player who likes to be around the ball, a good passer, ball-winner, competitor and teammate.”
Kaye is also a regular with the Canada national team. He has played 35 games since 2017, scoring two goals, and will be part of the country’s roster at the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
