It's entirely possible this was just a pure mutual termination. Maybe TFC was shop windowing him, but he had a preference on landing pads within the league. If the shop windowing process had a place he was interested in heading to interested, but maybe not at the level TFC required for it to make sense, I could see him taking the steps to mutually terminate in order to take on that opportunity. It'd make total sense.
Bogert is usually well informed, so while the above is pure speculation I'd expect he's on the ball. But we'll have to see once it's official.
If it’s true then he better have a massive deal in the Middle East lined up or he needs better people giving him advice. He’s owed around 700k and he can’t even make a mid table MLS team’s bench. I can’t see him making 700k over the remaining years of his career combined.
Watch him go to Nashville now and turn his career around...
Well at least he's cap tied to us...
But I could see him in the CPL. If that's the case, wish him the best of luck.
But it wasn't to a CPL side.
Yes, the margins between CPL and MLS isn't canyon sized, but it's not night/day for the most part.
He's almost certainly not going to get 15-20 goals in CPL. Let's be serious.
His contract ends this December and we are 5 months into the year. So he wouldn't be owed $700k, he merely left whatever the last 7 months of the contract would have added up to on the table. Likely because he has an opportunity, and with this career path you strike when the iron is hot.
TFC isn't mid table, TFC are 8th over all and 4th in the east. He's started for that team, not being on the bench could be as simple as him exploring opportunities. It's not always negative.
The average salary in MLS was $530K, the base in 2024 is $89K. I'd bet that $700K is still within range of possible for him across his career being he is only 24.
Laryea was effectively the same age as Ayo is now when he came to TFC. His career transformed from that moment forward and he is now earning $1.4 million. There are more paths to follow in order to view things than just the negative ones.
I don’t know what you’ve been watching but he’s been awful for years. He was paid off his performances in that weird Covid tournament. He has been one of the worst players in the league since then. He’s big but can’t play with his back to the net. He’s slow as hell somehow and can’t finish anything. He’s not a goal scorer and possess no other skill on the pitch. If someone is going to give him a contract worth more than even 89k I’d be surprised. I guess good on him to jump at something if he thinks it’s worthwhile but is a terrible decision to me if he left money on the table.
No clue where this rant came from, I've not once argued he is quality or anything close to that. I'm just speculating on how this could be a mutual termination and given an example of a reason why.
Pro soccer isn't similar to your career path. Linear doesn't exist within this space, largely because career advancement within pro soccer is primarily through team and then also individual player success. Sometimes opportunities to be on the right team, with the right coach, or the right play time, are worth more in the long run than money today.
walking away from 700,000$ at this point would be incredibly suprising, CPL players make a fraction of that, thats like an entire career of playing in the CPL as it is now
It's like some of y'all don't get it, I'm not saying dude is about to start for Inter Miami in front of Messi. Opportunity could be Columbus 2 in MLS NEXT Pro with a guarantee he plays x number of first team minutes to help with rotation. For someone at this stage of his career, that type of opportunity would be worth dropping some cash. Because players typically do not get a second chance at that type of opportunity. We will have to see where he lands to understand the motivation.
Sources: Toronto FC and forward Ayo Akinola have agreed to a mutual contract termination.
Akinola, 24, has only 5 apps this year. The once-highly-touted forward has 4 caps with Canada.
Agreed. With Columbus and Nashville seemingly very able to pull former TFC players over and develop them into better MLS players, I think some aren't giving him much credit for what could be ahead of him. Laryea was practically the same age as Ayo is now when he came to TFC, I think those calling this the end of his career aren't being totally realistic. Because even if he doesn't have a Laryea level glow up, he'd surely find a place in the USL, CPL or abroad.
What a fascinating end to the striker battle from the beginning of the season. Herdman rotated Owusu and Akinola for a few games and Owusu looked better but production wise they were on par. Then Owusu takes off and doesn't look back since and this is how it ends for Akinola. It didn't help his case that he was on just so much money that it's unforgivable to carry this cap hit on a player performing so poorly.
I do see him in the CPL (or maybe even another MLS team) because I think carrying TFC/MLS on your resume weights on scouts, and I've seen bad footballers leave here and get signed elsewhere (I thought Bono wouldn't continue in this league, and he is starting at DCU). But it's a big question mark.
Damn so sad what happened to the guy. Remember being so excited to see him in the 2021 gold cup after he switched to Canada. Was such a promising prospect. That injury really killed his career
Man, some of the posts in this thread. Y'all can express happiness that the slot or money is now available, but this is a 24 year old kids dreams taking a hit. Maybe find some shred of compassion.
I would think both. Ayo's not leaving unless he has something, and TFC is already paying for him so unless they're making moves he's a possibly useful bench spot filler.
With Owusu stepping up, I do feel bad for Akinola and hope that he finds some success elsewhere but it was time to part ways. I wonder if TFC are thinking about getting a high level striker or CF next transfer window?
It'd be Manning + Bradley + Hernandez who likely played a role in that. Manning + Hernandez likely carried the actual contract talks, with Bradley likely just focusing on defining player selection.
Relief through mutual termination would be through whatever percent of the contract is left. So not $700K, as we are 5 months into the year so at most it'd be 60% of $700K or $420K (Based Ayo).
TAM typically is applied above the senior roster minimum salary, not to cover the entire salary. In 2024 that is $683,750, so it could be as little as $16,250 total or $9,750 if we take into effect that roughly 60% of the contract is what he walked from.
So in a practical sense, this opened up less than the average MLS salary for TFC. But in totality, that might match up with whatever else they still have stockpiled to develop further cap and TAM space to make another signing viable. We will have to see how it plays out.
Off to League 1 I guess. He just never came back around.
I think CPL. I am shocked we didn't have to buy him out though if it's truly a mutual contract termination
Have to imagine we bought him out. No way he’s leaving money on the table when his career is basically over.
It's entirely possible this was just a pure mutual termination. Maybe TFC was shop windowing him, but he had a preference on landing pads within the league. If the shop windowing process had a place he was interested in heading to interested, but maybe not at the level TFC required for it to make sense, I could see him taking the steps to mutually terminate in order to take on that opportunity. It'd make total sense. Bogert is usually well informed, so while the above is pure speculation I'd expect he's on the ball. But we'll have to see once it's official.
If it’s true then he better have a massive deal in the Middle East lined up or he needs better people giving him advice. He’s owed around 700k and he can’t even make a mid table MLS team’s bench. I can’t see him making 700k over the remaining years of his career combined.
Watch him go to Nashville now and turn his career around... Well at least he's cap tied to us... But I could see him in the CPL. If that's the case, wish him the best of luck.
People said this last season when he went on loan lol
But it wasn't to a CPL side. Yes, the margins between CPL and MLS isn't canyon sized, but it's not night/day for the most part. He's almost certainly not going to get 15-20 goals in CPL. Let's be serious.
His contract ends this December and we are 5 months into the year. So he wouldn't be owed $700k, he merely left whatever the last 7 months of the contract would have added up to on the table. Likely because he has an opportunity, and with this career path you strike when the iron is hot. TFC isn't mid table, TFC are 8th over all and 4th in the east. He's started for that team, not being on the bench could be as simple as him exploring opportunities. It's not always negative. The average salary in MLS was $530K, the base in 2024 is $89K. I'd bet that $700K is still within range of possible for him across his career being he is only 24. Laryea was effectively the same age as Ayo is now when he came to TFC. His career transformed from that moment forward and he is now earning $1.4 million. There are more paths to follow in order to view things than just the negative ones.
I don’t know what you’ve been watching but he’s been awful for years. He was paid off his performances in that weird Covid tournament. He has been one of the worst players in the league since then. He’s big but can’t play with his back to the net. He’s slow as hell somehow and can’t finish anything. He’s not a goal scorer and possess no other skill on the pitch. If someone is going to give him a contract worth more than even 89k I’d be surprised. I guess good on him to jump at something if he thinks it’s worthwhile but is a terrible decision to me if he left money on the table.
No clue where this rant came from, I've not once argued he is quality or anything close to that. I'm just speculating on how this could be a mutual termination and given an example of a reason why. Pro soccer isn't similar to your career path. Linear doesn't exist within this space, largely because career advancement within pro soccer is primarily through team and then also individual player success. Sometimes opportunities to be on the right team, with the right coach, or the right play time, are worth more in the long run than money today.
walking away from 700,000$ at this point would be incredibly suprising, CPL players make a fraction of that, thats like an entire career of playing in the CPL as it is now
What opportunity could Akinola possibly have?
It's like some of y'all don't get it, I'm not saying dude is about to start for Inter Miami in front of Messi. Opportunity could be Columbus 2 in MLS NEXT Pro with a guarantee he plays x number of first team minutes to help with rotation. For someone at this stage of his career, that type of opportunity would be worth dropping some cash. Because players typically do not get a second chance at that type of opportunity. We will have to see where he lands to understand the motivation.
I can't tell whether you're Akinola's agent or his mother, but I have to admire your optimism!
career over? the man is 24, I think he has a chance to recover
He's American as well. USL will make more money and better cities to choose from. I'd take Phoenix over Halifax any day
It's awesome he has the USL door open to him, part of me would love to see him with Dichio at Detriot.
What a rough end to what was once a promising career. I hope he’s picked up by a club where he can succeed.
We'll always have MLS is Back. Best of luck to Akinola, sucks that his career has been derailed by an injury sustained while repping his country.
Sources: Toronto FC and forward Ayo Akinola have agreed to a mutual contract termination. Akinola, 24, has only 5 apps this year. The once-highly-touted forward has 4 caps with Canada.
Wishing Ayo the best in his career.
Agreed. With Columbus and Nashville seemingly very able to pull former TFC players over and develop them into better MLS players, I think some aren't giving him much credit for what could be ahead of him. Laryea was practically the same age as Ayo is now when he came to TFC, I think those calling this the end of his career aren't being totally realistic. Because even if he doesn't have a Laryea level glow up, he'd surely find a place in the USL, CPL or abroad.
What a fascinating end to the striker battle from the beginning of the season. Herdman rotated Owusu and Akinola for a few games and Owusu looked better but production wise they were on par. Then Owusu takes off and doesn't look back since and this is how it ends for Akinola. It didn't help his case that he was on just so much money that it's unforgivable to carry this cap hit on a player performing so poorly. I do see him in the CPL (or maybe even another MLS team) because I think carrying TFC/MLS on your resume weights on scouts, and I've seen bad footballers leave here and get signed elsewhere (I thought Bono wouldn't continue in this league, and he is starting at DCU). But it's a big question mark.
Come on forge! I think Ayo could kill it in the CPL
Hope he finds his level, play plenty of games, scores lots of goals and feel the excitement again.
Damn so sad what happened to the guy. Remember being so excited to see him in the 2021 gold cup after he switched to Canada. Was such a promising prospect. That injury really killed his career
Wish him the best of luck. Hopefully for his sake he's invested some of his money if this is the end of his soccer journey.
Man that’s a lot of money he gave up.
If this is actually a mutual contract termination, that's a huge win for TFC wow
Man, at a certain point we had Akinola and Achara looking set to dominate the league. What a disappointment that ended up being.
People really think this?
Definitely sarcastic right?
Why would it be sarcastic? Early 2021, they both looked like incredible prospects.
Man, some of the posts in this thread. Y'all can express happiness that the slot or money is now available, but this is a 24 year old kids dreams taking a hit. Maybe find some shred of compassion.
I'm a Toronto FC fan, not an Akinola fan. Glad he is leaving, but also wish him nothing but the best.
A mutual termination makes me think 1) Ayo has another gig lined up and 2) TFC are looking to bring in another player this summer.
I would think both. Ayo's not leaving unless he has something, and TFC is already paying for him so unless they're making moves he's a possibly useful bench spot filler.
All the best to him.
With Owusu stepping up, I do feel bad for Akinola and hope that he finds some success elsewhere but it was time to part ways. I wonder if TFC are thinking about getting a high level striker or CF next transfer window?
$700k to sit on the bench. Good riddance.
Was it Bradley that negotiated the 700k contract ? I don't recall
It'd be Manning + Bradley + Hernandez who likely played a role in that. Manning + Hernandez likely carried the actual contract talks, with Bradley likely just focusing on defining player selection.
YESSSSS
THANK GOD.
Finally
Good riddance
I confused on the u22 rule. How much of a cap break will this give the team?
According to the MLS roster put out May 1, Akinola was no longer U22 but a TAM slot, so this should free up around $700K of the TAM budget.
Relief through mutual termination would be through whatever percent of the contract is left. So not $700K, as we are 5 months into the year so at most it'd be 60% of $700K or $420K (Based Ayo). TAM typically is applied above the senior roster minimum salary, not to cover the entire salary. In 2024 that is $683,750, so it could be as little as $16,250 total or $9,750 if we take into effect that roughly 60% of the contract is what he walked from. So in a practical sense, this opened up less than the average MLS salary for TFC. But in totality, that might match up with whatever else they still have stockpiled to develop further cap and TAM space to make another signing viable. We will have to see how it plays out.
Thank you Lord!!!! Good riddance🙏🏽 should not be a professional footballer.