Jozy Altidore has agreed to a deal with the New England Revolution after being bought out by Toronto FC, the team announced Monday, officially ending the striker's storied seven-season run with the Canadian franchise that saw him become an MLS Cup MVP and two-time MLS All-Star.
Thanks for the countless memories, @JozyAltidore#TFCLive
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) February 14, 2022
Toronto parted ways with Altidore using its one off-season buyout of a guaranteed contract, meaning his salary will not count against the club's budget and he will no longer occupy a designated player spot on its roster, though Toronto will be responsible for a portion of his salary through 2023.
New England said it has extended Altidore's contract for an additional year, securing his services through the 2024 season.
“We welcome Jozy Altidore to the New England Revolution," Bruce Arena, the team's sporting director and head coach, said in a statement. "Jozy is a player we know well and feel confident that he will be an excellent addition to our team. I believe Jozy can continue to be an outstanding goal scorer, and we will work hard to get him back to full fitness and in good form over the next couple of months.”
Altidore, who earned U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year honours twice during his career, was a leader on the Reds when they completed the 2017 treble by winning MLS Cup, the Supporters’ Shield, and the Canadian Championship.
His tenure with TFC ends with him ranking second in goal scoring, notching 79 goals in all competitions. Only former strike partner Sebastian Giovinco, with 83, has scored more in TFC colours.
“We want to thank Jozy for all of his contributions to Toronto FC over the last seven seasons. He scored some of the most important and memorable goals during the most successful period in our club history,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “We wish Jozy well in this next chapter of his career. His place in TFC history is secure and our fans will never forget the moments he produced.”
Some of Altidore's goals will last long in club lore.
Despite limping on a bum ankle, he scored the decisive goal against Columbus in Game 2 of the 2017 Eastern Conference final to send Toronto to the MLS Cup final. Then he scored in a 2-0 victory over Seattle to hoist the trophy at BMO Field.
In the 2016 Eastern Conference final, with Toronto trailing 3-2 after the first leg in Montreal, Altidore’s elegant header off a Giovinco corner tied the aggregate at 4-4. It was his fifth straight playoff game with a goal, an MLS record in a single post-season.
And then in the 100th minute, after a spectacular piece of hold-up play, he fed Tosaint Ricketts for the insurance goal in a 5-2 win that gave Toronto a 7-5 comeback aggregate victory.
Altidore came within a whisker of scoring in the 2016 MLS Cup final, only to see Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei pull off a remarkable save to keep it scoreless. Seattle then won via penalty shootout.
Still, despite the past successes, a departure was not unexpected. Altidore managed just six goals over the last two seasons, in limited action due to injuries and a disagreement with the club, and last Friday public signals emerged that a divorce was imminent.
"Thank you Toronto and all the fans for a wonderful seven years," Altidore wrote in a social media post. "To all the staff and my teammates throughout this time, THANK YOU!! Toronto will always be home. Thank you MLSE and Larry and Judy Tanenbaum for all of your support over the years. See you soon and all the very best in the future."
