3 weeks ago
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Back to MLS
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Former LAFC star midfielder José Cifuentes has returned to Major League Soccer. On Friday, Toronto FC announced that they have acquired the 26-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder on loan from Rangers FC until June 30, 2026. The deal was concluded ahead of the MLS secondary transfer window closing on Thursday and will include an option to buy.
“We are delighted to welcome José to Toronto FC,” Toronto FC general manager Jason Hernandez said in a club statement. “Cifu will be a welcome addition to our midfield as he has already proven his ability to deliver at an elite level in MLS. His skill set will complement our current group and serve as an important piece of our team as we continue to build for the future.”
While Cifuentes struggled at Rangers and on loan in Brazil and Cruzeiro, the Ecuadorian seemed to somewhat rediscover his form last season while playing in Greece for Aris Thessaloniki. Cifuentes managed one goal and three assists playing for Aris in 31 games across all competitions. It was the first time that Cifuentes managed regular minutes since leaving MLS. Even then, his market value dropped once again from €6m to €5m, less than half of his high point at LAFC, where his evaluation hit €12m in 2022.
Cifuentes to Toronto – Can the midfielder rediscover his LAFC form in Canada?
Indeed, Cifuentes was one of the crucial players for an LAFC side that won the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2022. That season, Cifuentes managed to score seven goals and six assists in 33 MLS regular-season games. At LAFC, Cifuentes was often used in multiple roles, including the no.10 role when the club plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation. “A typical two-way box-to-box midfielder has a good shot, is skillful, and very dynamic,” LAFC assistant coach Marc Dos Santos said in an interview with Transfermarkt in 2023.
It is now up to Toronto FC bench boss Robin Fraser to get the most out of Cifuentes. In fact, Fraser was given plenty to work with this transfer window. In addition to signing Cifuentes, TFC also added Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic in a deal worth $8 million (€6.85 million) plus $1 million (€856,000). The Mihailovic transaction is one of the largest in TFC history. Together with Mihailovic, Cifuentes is now expected to form the heart of a new look Toronto side, trying to rekindle a glorious history.
