Toronto FC have some serious needs in midfield. It looks like they’ve found a guy with plenty of MLS experience and upside.
TFC are set to acquire former LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, according to GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert. The Ecuadorian moved to Rangers in 2023 and would trade the Scottish giants for the Reds on loan for a year, with an option to buy next summer.
Cifuentes was a star under Bob Bradley in LA. He played 102 games across four years (2020-2023) and won MLS Cup with the black-and-gold in 2022.
The move to Scotland wasn’t as stable as the 26-year-old may have hoped. He’s made just 20 appearances for Rangers in two years, and left Ibrox on loan twice — first to Brazilian side Cruzeiro and then to Greek Super League club Aris.
Cifuentes has World Cup experience, having played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He has 21 caps for Ecuador.
On Wednesday, Toronto FC announced the sale of Honduran midfielder Deybi Flores to Saudi Pro League club Al-Najma SC. He’ll join Honduras teammate, and former CF Montréal star Romel Quioto in Unaizah.
Cifuentes would fill an immediate hole in midfield and compliment Jonathan Osorio and Alonso Coello, two players that would surely share the biggest burden left by Flores’ departure.
TFC sit 12th in the Eastern Conference on 23 points and are back in action on Sunday away to Atlanta United.