TORONTO – Toronto FC announced on Thursday that the club had signed forward Raheem Edwards, the co-leading scorer for Toronto FC II in the USL in 2016. He becomes the 14th player in club history to sign for club’s MLS squad from the Kia Toronto FC Academy.

TFC has signed a total of 26 Kia Toronto FC Academy players to professional contracts for both Toronto FC and Toronto FC II, including 19 in the last three seasons.

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“Since beginning his soccer journey within the Toronto FC system where he has played with Toronto FC II, Raheem has faced every challenge head on and continues to excel with the opportunities placed in front of him,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We must also give special thanks to Greg Vanney and Jason Bent along with our other academy coaches for their important role in Raheem’s development. We are excited to watch Raheem’s continued development as he provides depth and pace on the left side.”

Edwards, 21, recently completed his second season in USL with Toronto FC II. He has made 41 appearances, scoring eight goals with five assists over the past two seasons for TFC II. He recorded six goals and four assists last season, including one of the standout individual finishes of the year against FC Cincinnati. 

Additionally in 2016, Edwards a signed a short-term agreement with Toronto FC and made his debut for the first team as a substitute on June 29 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2016 Amway Canadian Championship. He later made his MLS debut on July 2 against Seattle Sounders FC as a substitute.

Edwards earned his first call up to the Canadian Men’s national team for a preseason camp earlier this year.