Toronto FC announced that the club has acquired U.S. international defender Walker Zimmerman, securing one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) premier centre-backs through the 2027-28 MLS season. The two-time MLS Defender of the Year will be added to the club’s roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), work permit and medicals.
“We are thrilled to welcome Walker to Toronto FC. As Free Agency approached this offseason, Walker’s name was at the top of our list given his pedigree both on the pitch and in the locker room,” said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. “A player of his stature provides us with quality, experience and a track record of delivering defensive results in MLS. Beyond his on-field performances, his leadership, intensity and professionalism will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to build a winning culture at our club. He has been a difference maker at every place he has played and we are excited to begin this journey together.”
The 32-year-old defender joins Toronto FC after spending six seasons (2020-2025) with Nashville SC, where he featured in 172 matches, netting 16 goals and adding seven assists across all competitions (MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup and U.S. Open Cup). From his debut with the expansion club, Zimmerman became the defensive leader, establishing himself as one of the league’s top centre-backs while guiding Nashville to one of the best defensive records in franchise history. On February 29, 2020, during Nashville’s first-ever match in league history, the stalwart defender scored the club’s first goal in MLS history against Atlanta United FC at Nissan Stadium. In 2025, the U.S. international led Nashville to their first-ever trophy, winning the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, while serving as the club’s captain.
“Toronto FC has such a rich history of success in MLS. When the opportunity came to represent this club and city, it was an easy decision,” said Zimmerman. “I can't wait to compete alongside my new teammates and perform for some of the best fans in the league as we chase trophies together.”
Prior to his time with Nashville, Zimmerman featured for LAFC from 2018 to 2020, where he recorded five assists and two goals through 51 regular season appearances (all starts). In the second season with the Black & Gold, Zimmerman played a key role in helping the team secure the club’s first-ever Supporters’ Shield in 2019. That same year, the defender was named to the MLS Best XI and earned a spot on the MLS All-Star team for the first time in his career.
Zimmerman began his professional career after being selected by FC Dallas in the first round (7th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and appeared in 89 MLS regular season games for the club. During the 2016 season, Zimmerman helped the team win the Supporters’ Shield and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Since entering the league in 2013, Zimmerman has tallied 26 goals through 307 appearances across all competitions. The Lawrenceville, Georgia native has earned four MLS All-Star selections, five consecutive MLS Best XI (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) honours and two MLS Defender of the Year awards (2020 and 2021). In addition to his individual accolades, Zimmerman has won the Supporters’ Shield twice with two different clubs, in 2016 with FC Dallas and in 2019 with LAFC. He has also captured two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies, winning in 2016 with FC Dallas and in 2025 with Nashville SC.
Internationally, Zimmerman has represented the United States Men’s National Team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, playing in all three group stage matches and starting in the Quarterfinals against the Netherlands. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the defender captained the USMNT in three matches, including a 3-0 victory against Honduras on February 2, 2022, which also marked the first time in his international career that he scored a goal and recorded one assist in a match. He has earned 46 caps since making his USMNT debut in a 1-0 win against Jamaica on February 3, 2017, in Chattanooga. In 2024, Zimmerman represented the U.S. at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, appearing in four matches with Team USA. On July 27, 2024, Zimmerman, along with Toronto FC midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, made history in Paris 2024, as Team USA won 4-1 against New Zealand, scoring the most goals ever by the U.S. in a men’s Olympic match.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC acquire U.S. international defender Walker Zimmerman through the 2027-28 MLS season. He will join the club’s roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), work permit and medicals.
WALKER ZIMMERMAN - #25
Position: Defender
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 196 lbs.
Birthdate: May 19, 1993 (Age – 32)
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Nationality: United States
Pronunciation: zim-ER-men
Last Club: Nashville SC