Toronto FC have reportedly landed a major signing in midfield.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed Tuesday night that the Reds are finalizing a $4.3 million deal with FC Heidenheim — recently relegated from the Bundesliga — for German midfielder Niklas Dorsch.
The 28-year-old is reportedly going to sign a five-year contract with the Reds.
A defensive midfielder, he came through the ranks at Bayern Munich before switching to Heidenheim in 2018. He then made stops at Belgian club Gent and Germany’s FC Augsburg before returning to Heidenheim in 2024. Now the German youth international is heading to North America to join a Toronto FC side on what will be a designated player contract.
Dorsch will provide a defensive midfield presence that Toronto FC have needed for a long time, and are also hoping to get from another recent recruit, Nelson Palacio. Toronto FC have already signed two designated players in the last year — Djordje Mihailovic and Josh Sargent — as Jason Hernandez proves he isn’t afraid to splash the cash to turn things around for the club.
Toronto FC previously had another German DP midfielder, Torsten Frings, who controlled the TFC midfield in 2011 and 2012, making 44 appearances in all competitions before retiring.
More to come.