Arsenal 21yo completes transfer to MLS | OneFootball

Arsenal youth defender Zane Monlouis has completed a transfer to Toronto FC, moving on a permanent basis on an initial contract to 2026.

Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Arsenal and Toronto FC announced the permanent transfer of Zane Monlouis between the two clubs on Saturday, with Toronto confirming that the player has a deal lasting to 2026 with options to extend to 2027 and 2028.

The 21-year-old had already spent time on a trial with Toronto in pre-season, and he evidently did enough to convince them to make an official move.

Monlouis quickly made his debut on Saturday night (or the early hours of Sunday morning back in the UK), coming off the bench in injury time in Toronto’s 2-2 draw with D.C. United.

Photo by Dan Critchlow

The game was Toronto’s first of the new MLS campaign, and Monlouis will hope for further minutes in their next fixture against Orlando City on Sunday, March 2nd at 00:30 GMT.

Monlouis spent almost 13 years with Arsenal, having joined the club at the age of eight.

The defender played 99 times for the Arsenal u18s and u21s, and he even made the bench for a couple of Champions League fixtures this season. But with no clear pathway to senior minutes, it made sense for him to move on.

Arsenal have Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, with Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Jurrien Timber, and Ben White all capable of playing at centre-back as well.

Zane Monlouis signs his 1st pro contract with Arsenal with Academy Director Per Mertesacker. Arsenal Training Ground. London Colney, Herts, 16/10/2…

Not every Arsenal academy product can make it at Arsenal, but it’s also true that a lot of them don’t get such high-profile transfers as a move to the MLS. Monlouis will now get the chance to prove himself in the senior game.