Toronto FC announced today that the club has signed Toronto FC II and Academy product Richard Chukwu to a Major League Soccer (MLS) contract as a Homegrown player through the 2029-30 MLS season with a club option for 2030-31. Chukwu becomes the 38th player in club history to sign for the First Team from the Toronto FC Academy.
“We are very happy to announce Richard’s promotion to the First Team this summer,” said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. “Rich has been an Academy standout for several years, and he exemplifies the work being done in our club’s player pathway. We look forward to Rich’s continued growth in our environment, and his potential role for both club and country in the future.”
Chukwu, 18, recently signed a professional contract with Toronto FC II, where he registered two assists in 31 appearances for TFC II across three MLS NEXT Pro seasons (2024, 2025, 2026). He made his Young Reds debut against Philadelphia Union II on June 30, 2024, and registered his first assist against the same opponent on August 18, 2024.
Chukwu originally joined the Toronto FC Academy in January 2020 and represented the Academy across the U-15, U-17 and U-19 age groups. At the international level, he ranks among the most frequently called-up players to Canada’s youth national teams in TFC Academy history. He has represented Canada at the U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels since 2022, featuring in multiple camps and competitions including the Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship, Concacaf Men’s Under-17 and Under-20 Championships and two FIFA U-17 World Cups. In November 2024, he earned a call-up to the Canadian Men’s National Team training camp under Head Coach Jesse Marsch at the age of 16. Most recently, Chukwu served as team captain for Canada at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, leading Les Rouges to the Round of 32 following a second-place finish in Group K.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC sign defender Richard Chukwu to an MLS contract as a Homegrown player through the 2029-30 MLS season with a club option for 2030-31.
RICHARD CHUKWU - #96
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Birthdate: February 25, 2008 (Age – 18)
Hometown: Bradford, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC II
