Toronto FC sign Toronto-native Rocco Romeo to Homegrown contract

Toronto FC announced today that the club has signed 19-year-old Rocco Romeo as a Homegrown Player.

A defender listed at 6 ft 2 inches tall, Romeo appeared in 10 matches for Toronto FC II in 2019, following a loan spell in Denmark with HB Køge.

“We’re excited to have Rocco on a first team contract,” said Toronto FC General Manager Ali Curtis in a press release. “He gained valuable experience last year playing in Europe, with our USL team, and training at times with the first team. Rocco is a talented, strong, athletic young central defender with a competitive personality. His competitive personality is incredible. It’s also very important to the development of a young player, and it’s infectious, and we love it.”

“He strives to get better every single day, and we’re looking forward to working with him. And, it has to be noted that we are also very happy for Rocco’s family as they have supported him to get to this point, and in all ways.”

Romeo, who grew up playing for Woodbridge SC, has also represented Canada at the 2018 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship, alongside several of his Toronto FC teammates.

The young defender is expected to spend most of his time playing with TFC II next year as he continues to make positive strides in his development.

He becomes the 21st player in Toronto FC history to sign for the first team after coming through the TFC Academy, and as mentioned in the TFC Notebook yesterday, more homegrown signings are expected in the lead up to the season.