Josh Sargent is heading stateside. The Norwich City striker has completed his move to Toronto FC in a deal that could be worth more than £20m. That's potentially a record fee for an MLS club.
The 26-year-old US international has put pen to paper on a five-year contract after passing his medical. Toronto are shelling out around £15.5m upfront, with add-ons pushing the total past £20m. If all bonuses are triggered, it could beat the fee Los Angeles FC paid for Son Heung-min back in August.
Norwich boss Phillipe Clement didn't mince words about losing his striker. "I wish I could have kept him," he told BBC Radio Norfolk. But he admitted the club got a good price and now has funds to find a replacement in the summer.
The FA Cup Fallout
Here's where things got messy. Sargent scored eight goals in 25 appearances this season, but his Norwich career took a turn when he refused to play in their FA Cup tie against Walsall last month. Clement called his actions "unacceptable" and banished him to train with the reserves.
The Belgian manager was diplomatic about the incident though. "I don't think he made the right decision not to play at that moment, but he will learn out of that," Clement said. He insisted there was never a complete breakdown in their relationship and that Sargent could have worked his way back into the first team.
What This Means for Norwich
Norwich paid just £8m to sign Sargent from Werder Bremen in 2021, so they're making a tidy profit. But losing an eight-goal striker mid-season isn't ideal for their Championship campaign. Bettors should keep an eye on Norwich's next few fixtures to see how they cope without their American forward.
Clement tried to stay positive about the situation. "The good thing is there is clarity and money we can use in the summer to replace a striker with his quality," he explained. He even compared managing players to raising children, saying arguments happen but there was never any real animosity.
For Toronto FC, they're getting a proven Championship striker in his prime on a long-term deal. That's a serious statement of intent for their MLS ambitions. For Sargent, it's a fresh start and a chance to rebuild his reputation back home in North America.
