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MLS Toronto FC

Toronto FC Sign U.S. International Sean Johnson

January 27, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Toronto FC News Release


Toronto FC announced that the club has signed U.S. international goalkeeper Sean Johnson using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) through 2024. Johnson joins Toronto FC after spending the past six seasons with New York City FC (NYCFC). He will be added to the roster pending the receipt of the International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

"Sean is among the top goalkeepers in MLS, and we are thrilled he has chosen Toronto FC as his new club," said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. "Sean is a true leader on and off the field, and his experience, winning mentality and shot blocking ability will help us solidify our defence."

Johnson, 33, recently completed his 13th MLS season in 2022, appearing in all 34 regular season matches, keeping a career high 14 clean sheets for New York City FC and earning his first MLS All-Star selection. Johnson originally joined NYCFC in November 2016 and immediately secured the starting role by the start of the 2017 MLS regular season. In his first year with the club, he notched eight clean sheets and 100 saves in 34 MLS appearances as the starting goalkeeper. In 2018, Johnson continued experiencing success with NYCFC as he recorded double-digit clean sheets (10) for the first time in his career and broke club records by going 396 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, including four shutouts, in July 2018. The same year, the Lilburn, Georgia native led NYCFC back to the MLS Cup Playoffs in his second year as the starting goalkeeper. His saves and performances in the following years earned him a reputation as one of MLS's best goalkeepers. In 2021, Johnson was named club captain, and in the same year, he helped his team reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. In the 2021 MLS Cup against Portland Timbers, Johnson played an important role saving two penalties in the shootout, which helped the club claim its first MLS Cup and earned him MLS Cup MVP honours. In all, he recorded 59 clean sheets in 206 appearances across all competitions (MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoffs, MLS is Back, U.S. Open Cup, Concacaf Champions League and Leagues Cup).

"Sean has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, given his club and international career," said Toronto FC Head Coach and Sporting Director Bob Bradley. "Sean continues to demonstrate his elite shot-stopping ability, athleticism, and decision-making in important moments and the biggest games."

Prior to his time with New York City FC, Johnson spent six seasons with Chicago Fire, where he made 194 appearances for the Fire across all competitions. Johnson was originally selected by Chicago Fire in the fourth round (51st overall pick) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft and made his debut at the age of 21 in a 3-2 win against the LA Galaxy on August 1, 2010.

At the international level, Johnson has played 10 times for the U.S. National Team, recording five clean sheets and four wins in all competitions. He earned his first cap and made three saves in a 1-0 win against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup group stage on July 16, 2013. He was a member of the 2022 U.S. National Team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Johnson serves on the Executive Board of Black Players for Change.

TRANSACTION: Toronto FC sign U.S. international goalkeeper Sean Johnson using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) through 2024.

SEAN JOHNSON

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 216 lbs.

Date of Birth: May 31, 1989 (Age - 33)

Hometown: Lilburn, USA

Nationality: American

Previous Club: New York City FC

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