TORONTO – Toronto FC strengthened its defense on Friday by bringing in free-agent centre back Walker Zimmerman, a two-time MLS Defender of the Year, for the 2027-28 MLS season. The 32-year-old U.S. international has played 13 years in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas, Los Angeles FC, and most recently Nashville SC. During his career, he earned five MLS Best XI selections, four all-star appearances, and was named MLS Defender of the Year twice (2020 and ’21). Originally from Lawrenceville, Ga., he has represented the United States 45 times and served as captain for the national team. “As free agency approached this off-season, Walker’s name was at the top of our list given his pedigree both on the pitch and in the locker-room,” Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez said in a statement. “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.” With Toronto opting not to pick up contract options for veteran defenders Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta, and Sigurd Rosted for 2026, they needed experienced players alongside younger talents like 19-year-old Lazar Stefanović, 22-year-old Zane Monlouis, and 23-year-old Nicksoen Gomis. Veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson also departed after signing as a free agent with D.C. United when Toronto chose not to extend his contract option for 2026. Zimmerman’s addition comes after TFC secured Brazilian left back Matheus Pereira from Portuguese side CD Santa Clara. They’ve signed the 25-year-old through the 2027-28 MLS season with an option for 2028-29. Toronto (6-14-14) missed out on playoffs again in 2025 for the fifth consecutive season. However, their defense improved under first-time head coach Robin Fraser-who himself is a former two-time MLS Defender of the Year. TFC ended up tied for seventh in league defense statistics by conceding an average of 1.29 goals per game. Hernandez continues searching for a standout forward since Toronto ranked tied for last in offense last season with an average of only 1.9 goals per game. Zimmerman is likely TFC’s biggest defensive signing since Drew Moor joined from Colorado Rapids back in December 2015 as their first-ever free-agent signing. Then-GM Tim Bezbatchenko referred to Moor as “a key piece in the puzzle.” With Moor leading defensively, Toronto’s goals-against total dropped significantly from an alarming league-worst tally of 58 goals conceded in 2015 to just 39 goals against in 2016. TFC reached the MLS Cup final but lost to Seattle Sounders via penalty shootout that year; however they faced Seattle again in the championship match during 2017 where Toronto claimed victory with a score of 2-0.</п Moor played pivotal roles during both finals but didn’t feature during Seattle’s championship match-up again in Seattle (which resulted as a loss at3-1) due to striker Jozy Altidore’s return from injury; afterward Moor returned to Colorado following that same year.</п Zimmerman has made appearances across both regular-season games and playoff matches totaling up to307 thus far while spearheading Nashville since its inception duringthe expansion season backin2020.His six seasons there saw him make172 appearances across all competitions scoring16goals alongtheway。 He played21league matches including16starts duringthe interrupted campaignof2025 which saw him sidelined due toa concussionandkneeinjury。 His value won’t be low either; lastseasonheearned$3 ,456 ,979(all figuresinUSD)as adesignatedplayer accordingtoMLSPlayersAssociation。 However,Zimmerman won’tbe categorizedasaDPwithToronto insteadusingtargetedallocationmoneyforhissigning.TAMcanbeutilizedtoreduce salary capchargesfortheplayersalariesabovemaximumsalarybudgetchargewhichwas$743 ,750in’25。 “Toronto FC has such a rich history of successinMLS,” saidZimmerman。“Whenopportunitycameroundtorepresentthisclubandcity,itwaseasydecision,Ican’twaittocomealongside my newteammatesandperformfor someofthebestfansintheleagueaswechasetrophiestogether.” FC Dallas draftedZimmermaninthefirstround(seventhoverall)of2013MLS SuperDraftoutofFurmanUniversity。 Dallas tradedhimtoexpansionLosAngelesFCindecember2017for$250 ,000ingeneralallocationmoneyand $250 ,000intargetedallocationmoney.Theteamsalso swappedallocationorder pickswithDallas takingLAFC’sNo .1spotand LAFCmovingdowntoNo .11。
LAFC then traded ZimmermantoNashvilleFebruary2020inadealworthup to $1 .1 million ingeneralallocation moneyplusoneinternationalrosterspotforthatyear。
He assistedFCDallas winningtheMLS Supporters’ShieldandLamar HuntU.S.OpenCup titlein2016。
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This report by The Canadian Press was first Jan.2 ,2026 . Neil Davidson ,TheCanadianPress[Source](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/toronto-fc-bolsters-backline-signing-153336711.html)
