Toronto FC today announced that the club has acquired defender Kevin Long from Birmingham City Football Club (Birmingham City FC) of the English Football League Championship (EFL Championship). The Irish centre-back will join the Reds through 2024 with a 2025 option, pending the receipt of his medicals and the International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The 33-year-old defender will occupy an international slot on the club's 2024 roster.
" We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to the Toronto FC family," said Toronto FC Head Coach John Herdman. "Kevin's experience will be a welcome addition to TFC’s back line. He's here to help rebuild the club and is hungry for success."
Long spent the past two seasons (2022-23, 2023-24) with Birmingham City, making 40 appearances across all competitions while scoring two goals and keeping nine clean sheets. The defender made his club debut in an away match against Bristol City on January 14, 2023 in the EFL Championship. On January 17, he scored his first goal with the Blues in an Emirates FA Cup third-round tie against Forest Green Rovers. During the 2023-24 season, Long appeared in all 17 league matches and was a key player helping the Blues record the club's highest points tally for six seasons.
"We are very happy to add a player of Kevin's pedigree and experience to our backline this season,” said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. “During his time in the UK, Kevin has demonstrated an ability to perform in some very difficult leagues, and he will provide us with the leadership necessary to reinforce our central defence. We are excited to add not only a quality player but a quality character to our group."
Before his time at Birmingham, Long spent 14 seasons at Burnley FC, where he made 91 appearances across all competitions, registering four goals and six assists. He made his club debut in an EFL Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday on October 2, 2012, and registered his first goal against Southampton in an Emirates FA Cup third-round tie on January 4, 2014. During the 2013-14 season, Long was part of the squad that clinched promotion to the Premier League in England for the 2014-15 season. Long originally joined Burnley FC on January 25, 2010, and was sent on loan to Accrington Stanley (EFL League Two), where he made a combined 43 appearances across two seasons (2010-11, 2011-12) before joining Rochdale and Portsmouth (EFL League One) during the 2012-13 season. He had two additional spells out on loan with Barnsley FC and Milton Keynes Dons during the 2015-16 season.
The Cork, Ireland native began his career in his hometown with Cork City, coming through the ranks and signing his first professional contract in January 2008. He made his senior debut when he came on as a substitute against St. Patrick's Athletic on May 9, 2009.
Internationally, Long has earned 17 caps with the Republic of Ireland National Team including his debut in a friendly against Mexico on June 1, 2017 and scored his first international goal in a friendly against Bulgaria on September 10, 2019.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC sign defender Kevin Long to a contract until 2024 with a Club option for 2025.
KEVIN LONG
Position: Defender
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 182 lbs.
Date of Birth: August 18, 1990 (Age – 33)
Birthplace: Cork, Republic of Ireland
Last Club: Birmingham City FC