Justin Morrow signs new contract with Toronto FC

Toronto FC announced this morning that they’ve re-signed defender Justin Morrow to a contract extension that covers multiple years. A finalist last season for MLS’s Defender of the Year, Morrow has been an integral member of TFC’s squad since 2014.

Morrow was also named to last year’s MLS Best XI, after one of his best seasons ever. He grew into a more attacking left wingback role, allowing him to score eight goals (including three in TFC’s Supporters’ Shield-clinching win over the New York Red Bulls).

The Cleveland native is the third defender to re-sign with TFC in the past couple months, following Drew Moor and Eriq Zavaleta. By my reckoning, the only one left out of contract now is Jason Hernandez, with whom the club may still be negotiating.

In his last contract, Morrow was making a guaranteed salary of $226,666.67. He almost certainly got a raise in his new deal, since his last couple seasons in Toronto have been arguably the best in his career.

The Reds acquired Morrow after the 2013 season, trading allocation money to the San Jose Earthquakes for the former MLS All-Star.

Morrow turned 30 in October. He continues to play at a good pace down the left flank, but who knows how long that will last. I’d assume the contract isn’t much longer than a few years, and TFC definitely are in win-now mode so it makes a lot of sense to hang onto such a crucial piece for the rest of their window.