Ex-Newcastle star Longstaff heads to MLS - five years after Man Utd interest
MLS outfit Toronto FC has announced the signing of once-highly-rated Newcastle midfielder Matty Longstaff, who was tracked by Manchester United after bursting onto the scene in 2019 with a Premier League debut goal against the Red Devils.
However, despite the fast start at St James' Park alongside his older brother Sean Longstaff, who still stars in the Magpies' midfield, Matty managed just 20 appearances for his boyhood club before several loan moves. At one stage, both brothers were reportedly being tracked by United but moves never materialised and their careers have gone in different directions.
The 23-year-old spent time at Aberdeen, Mansfield Town, and Colchester United before Newcastle declined to renew his contract. He's now found a new permanent club by joining Toronto FC on a free transfer.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Matty to our squad,” said Toronto FC Head Coach John Herdman. “His Premier League experience and dynamic playing style will add depth to our midfield and complement our tactical blueprint.”
Longstaff penned a two-year deal that will see him stay in Toronto through 2025 and there is also an option for a further year should he impress. The ex-England youth star will be a massive boost for Toronto, who were held to a stalemate in their 2024 MLS opener against Cincinnati.
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Toronto will be hoping for a better 2024 having finished bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2023. The Canadian MLS franchise has suffered poor results since its maiden 2017 MLS Cup- victory. They haven't managed to make a playoff appearance in the last three MLS campaigns.
Toronto will have to keep an eye on Longstaff's persistent hamstring injuries, though. The midfielder spent 213 days out injured with hamstring-related injuries before suffering a horror knee injury that kept him sidelined for 187 games leading up to his release from the Magpies.
Longstaff had several loan spells away from Newcastle before his release (Getty)Nonetheless, Longstaff is determined to make a name for himself again - starting in MLS. “I'm really motivated to get back,” he told Sport Bible last year. “I want to be a top player.”
Longstaff added on Newcastle's support: "The club have been unbelievable with me throughout. They have allowed me to stay around the place to do all my rehab, which means I've got top physios looking after me every day.
"If I need extra help on the pitch, the staff will always be there. They'll often ask how I'm getting on mentally, as well, and still treat me like I'm one of their players.
"It just shows how good they are as human beings. They've all played the game and had injuries. They know what it's like."
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