Toronto FC signs Emilio Aristizábal on Loan | OneFootball

The Reds are adding a striker to their front line atttack. Despite some rumours that the Reds were adding some red-haired flair, the team has pivoted and signed a South American instead. Toronto FC has officially secured 20-year-old Colombian forward Emilio Aristizábal on a season-long loan from Atlético Nacional for the 2026 MLS campaign. The deal includes an option to buy, meaning if he lights up BMO Field, he could be staying in Toronto for the long haul.

Aristizábal will occupy a U-22 Initiative slot and an international spot. Due to the convoluted MLS roster construction rules, Toronto FC may or may not have one or tow open U-22 initiative spots. Believe it or not, Cassius Mailula is still under contract until 2026 and will occupy one of the U-22 spots even though he's been on loan since 2024.

The 20-year old Aristizábal joined Athletico Nacional in 2023 and saw limited minutes for the first two years with the club. He was loaned out to Primera A side Fortaleza FC in 2025, where he scored 12 goals in 36 appearances. At just 20 years old, he’s already proven he can find the back of the net in a physical first-division league. For Toronto FC, he represents a high-upside investment who could provide the much-needed offensive spark for the 2026 season.

Player Profile: Why TFC is ExcitedGeneral Manager Jason Hernandez didn't hold back the praise, noting that Aristizábal is considered one of Colombia’s premier young attackers. Hernandez said, "Emilio has established himself as one of Colombia’s top young attacking talents, and we are excited to begin our journey together. He is coming off a strong 2025 in his first full senior campaign, delivering an impressive offensive output at just 19 years old, and we look forward to his continued growth at our club."

He’ll officially join the squad once he clears his medical exams and receives his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). With that caveat in place, it is doubtful that Aristizábal will be on the roster for Toronto's opening match in Dallas this weekend. Since Aristizábal was just starting the regular season in Colombia, it may be a couple of weeks before he makes his Toronto FC debut.

Despite all of the praise, Aristizábal isn't walking into a guaranteed starting spot - he’ll be fighting for minutes alongside Deandre Kerr and Jules Anthony-Vilsaint at the top of the formation. The club’s vision is for a fresh, young striker to build chemistry with a revamped midfield anchored by Djordje Mihailovic and Jose Cifuentes. Currently, Aristizábal is viewed as a depth signing rather than the definitive, long-term solution for the Reds' attack.

This move comes on the heels of the rumoured deal for Norwich City’s Josh Sargent falling through. Sargent is still on the Norwich roster and it looks like Toronto FC and the Canaries are still far apart on a transfer fee. With the Sargent deal on hold, GM Jason Hernandez is clearly casting a wider net internationally to bolster the roster's supporting cast.