Toronto FC announced today that Doneil Henry and Jimmy Brennan will join TFC’s Front Office. Henry, Toronto FC’s first Homegrown player joins TFC as a Special Advisor for Player Development and Engagement and will represent the Reds as a Club Ambassador. Brennan, TFC’s first-ever signing and captain, joins TFC as a Special Advisor to the Technical Director, Pathway & Strategy.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Doneil and Jimmy back to TFC for the 2026 season and beyond,” said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. “As we began our strategic planning process at the end of 2024, we identified a major gap area whereby our organization lacked the reintegration of pivotal members of our club’s history within our staffing. We targeted several key members who felt strongly would add tremendous value to our club and are happy to have formalized their roles at the end of 2025. TFC is much stronger with the knowledge, experience, and passion that both Doneil and Jimmy bring to our sporting department, and we look forward to their elevated contributions during our club’s 20th season.”
Henry, 32, will focus on technical player development, mentorship, engagement and ambassadorial representation for the club. He will support and engage with both TFC Academy and Toronto FC II athletes through improving technical skills, fostering positive relationships and monitoring player development. As a club ambassador, Henry will represent the Reds by promoting the club’s values in interactions with players, fans, families and the community.
“From being a supporter to player and now returning, I am honoured to be recognized as a club ambassador in the club’s 20th season, said Henry. “This club has given me everything, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping the Academy players understand what it takes to reach the next level. Special thanks to Toronto FC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini for supporting me and allowing me to continue to grow in my coaching journey.”
Henry joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2008 and signed his first professional contract with the Reds on August 1, 2010. He made history as the club’s first-ever Homegrown signing, marking the first of 37 Homegrown contracts to date. In his two stints with TFC (2010-2014 and 2022), Henry recorded five goals and three assists in 101 appearances across all competitions (MLS regular season, Canadian Championship and Concacaf Champions Cup), helping TFC capture three consecutive Canadian Championship titles (2010, 2011, 2012).
The Brampton, Ontario native made his professional debut with TFC on October 24, 2010, against D.C. United. After five seasons with Toronto, Henry joined English Premier League club West Ham in 2015 and made his lone appearance in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Astra Giurgiu on August 6, 2015. While with West Ham, Henry played for the club’s U-21 team, making a total of 11 appearances for the reserve squad. He was also sent on two loan spells during his time with the Hammers, playing for Blackburn Rovers (2015/2016) of the English Championship and AC Horsens (2016/2017) of the Danish Superliga, where he made a combined eight appearances.
In 2018, Henry returned to Canada and featured for Ottawa Fury FC (USL) before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps later in the season. While on the West Coast, the defender spent two seasons (2018-2019) with the Whitecaps, where he registered four goals through 44 appearances across all competitions (MLS regular season and Canadian Championship). Henry made the move overseas in 2020 and played for the Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the Korean K-League, where he appeared in 46 matches over two seasons (2020-2021).
Before returning to Toronto FC on a six-month contract in 2022, Henry spent the first half of the season with Los Angeles FC (LAFC), where he made six appearances. After his stint with TFC, the defender signed with Minnesota United to start the 2023 campaign and finished the year with the Halifax Wanderers of the Canadian Premier League, where he made a total of 14 appearances.
Internationally, Henry earned 44 caps with the Canadian National Team. He represented Canada at the U-20 and U-23 levels, and in 2012, he was named Player of the Year for Canada’s U-20 squad.
Henry announced his retirement in February 2023 after a distinguished playing career. He was appointed the Sporting Director and Co-Owner of Simcoe County Rovers in League1 Ontario prior to Barrie Soccer Club acquiring the club in December 2025. Most recently, the former player was invited to be a Guest Coach as part of Jesse Marsch’s Canadian Men’s National Team camp in California in January 2026, where Canada defeated Guatemala 1-0 on January 17 in the country’s first match of 2026. He also joined League1 Ontario’s Milton Magic FC as the Technical Director prior to returning home to Toronto.
Brennan, 48, will collaborate with TFC’s Technical Director, Sean Rubio, to support all aspects of player pathways, development and strategies related with the TFC Academy and Toronto FC II. Brennan will be responsible for leading player development initiatives, supporting the club’s technical pathway, engaging with key community stakeholders and representing the club in year-round ambassadorial and business activities.
"It is great to be back with Toronto FC, an organization that holds a special place in my heart,” said Brennan. “I look forward to supporting and collaborating with the team on the overall strategy as we all work together to bring success to the club."
The North York, Ontario native, Brennan, was Toronto FC’s first-ever signing as the newest expansion club in 2007. He also led the Reds as team captain for four consecutive seasons and scored the first goal by a Canadian player for TFC. The midfielder spent four seasons with TFC (2007-2010), beginning in the inaugural 2007 season and officially announcing his retirement as a Red in 2010. Brennan originally signed with the club on September 8, 2006, where he recorded four goals and five assists in a combined 93 appearances across all competitions (MLS regular season, Canadian Championship and Concacaf Champions Cup). He made his club debut on April 6, 2007, against Chivas USA and helped lead TFC to the club’s first-ever Canadian Championship title in 2009. He was named to the MLS All-Star squad in 2008 and faced West Ham United of the English Premier League.
Prior to his time in Toronto, Brennan began his professional playing career with England’s Bristol City at the age of 17, where he made a total of 54 appearances across four seasons (1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000). He made his professional debut against Bournemouth on October 29, 1996. He then went on to play for Nottingham Forrest, making history as one of the highest-paid deals for a Canadian player at the time for $2.6 million. With Nottingham, Brennan made 135 appearances across all competitions (FA Cup, First Division and League Cup) and had a short stint with Huddersfield Town, making two appearances in the 2000-2001 season before returning to Nottingham. He also spent three seasons with Norwich City (2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006), recording two goals in 48 appearances across all competitions (FA Cup, First Division, Premier League, League Cup and Championship) and one season with Southampton FC (2006-2007), making 16 appearances (FA Cup and Championship) before making the move back home to Toronto in 2007.
Internationally, Brennan represented the Canadian Men’s National Team, where he scored six goals and earned a total of 49 caps. He made his national team debut against Northern Ireland in an international friendly on April 27, 1999. The midfielder also represented his country at the Gold Cup (2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007), the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers (2000, 2004 and 2008) and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001. He was part of the squad that won the 2000 Gold Cup after a 2-0 win against Colombia on February 27, 2000. In 2014, Brennan was recognised by the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup team and in 2015, he was officially inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.
After his retirement in 2010, Brennan became the Assistant General Manager for Toronto FC before being named the U-17 TFC Academy Head Coach in 2011 and serving as the First Team Assistant Coach from 2012 to 2014. Following his time with TFC, Brennan became the Executive Director and Director of Soccer Operations at the Aurora Youth Soccer Club (now known as Aurora FC) until 2018.
In 2018, Brennan was part of a group that co-founded York9 FC (now known as Inter Toronto FC) of the Canadian Premier League, becoming the club’s first-ever Head Coach. He held the position for four seasons from 2018 to 2021.
