After a largely quiet off-season, Toronto FC capped off its first busy week of business by signing goalkeeper Clint Irwin to a new contract.
“Clint was a big part of our success last season. His calming influence helped solidify our defensive group that we built during last year’s offseason,” general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a release. “Clint’s reliability is very important to our group and we’re happy to get this deal done.”
The deal is for two years plus options.
The off-season got off to a peculiar start for the goalkeeper, who Toronto left unprotected in the league’s expansion draft almost immediately following the Reds’ MLS Cup final loss.
Selected by Atlanta United in the early afternoon of Dec.13, Irwin, 27, was a Red again by dinner time. Reacquiring the goalkeeper meant sending defender Mark Bloom to his home state of Georgia.
Irwin appeared in 25 matches between Major League Soccer’s regular season and the Reds’ deep playoff run last year. It was his first year with the club, after moving from Colorado Rapids in January 2016.
The Reds are tying up many lose ends this week.
On Tuesday, Toronto signed former Liverpool defender Chris Mavinga; Wednesday was the official return of midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, whose new deal is for a year plus an option for a second; and Thursday saw striker Tosaint Ricketts sign on for two more years plus an option for a third.
Bezbatchenko said it’s possible another outside signing — either a creative midfielder or cover for the right back position where Bloom used to play — could come next week.
Toronto also has a number of draft picks, trialists and Toronto FC II players currently in contention for a spot in the squad.
With files from the Canadian Press
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