Former Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff has signed for Toronto FC.

The 23-year-old, who is the brother of Sean Longstaff, has joined the MLS side on a two-year contract with the option of a further year.

Toronto head coach, John Herdman, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Matty to our squad.

“His Premier League experience and dynamic playing style will add depth to our midfield and complement our tactical blueprint.”

Longstaff hasn’t played a competitive game of football since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on loan at Colchester United in 2022.

He then returned to Newcastle to undergo rehab and recover from this setback, before being released by the Premier League club last summer.

Longstaff began his career at Newcastle and came through the academy ranks, eventually making his senior debut in August 2019.

During his time at Newcastle, Longstaff had three separate loan spells at Aberdeen, Mansfield Town and Colchester. 

He made 20 appearances across all competitions for Newcastle and scored his first goal when he netted the winner against Manchester United on his debut in October 2019.

On the international stage, Longstaff has represented England at youth level, earning two caps for the Under-20s. His debut came against Portugal’s Under-20 side on November 14, 2019.

Toronto are next in action this Sunday against New England.

GO DEEPER

Matty Longstaff: From dream Newcastle debut and £20,000-a-week contract to fresh start in League Two

(Stu Forster/Getty Images)