Richard Chukwu: Top Toronto FC prospect for the future
In a 1-on-1 interview, Chukwu discuses coming up through the youth academy, life with TFC 2, training under Jesse Marsch, and more.
Considered one of the TFC youth academy's brightest prospects, defender Richard Chukwu appears to be on a clear pathway to the first team.
Chukwu, a 17-year-old from Toronto, has been with the youth academy for several years and made his debut for TFC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024, finishing the season with one assist in 10 appearances. Toronto-based writer James Grossi is the foremost authority on TFC 2, having covered the team in an in-depth fashion for several years. He describes Chukwu as a "versatile young defender" who took his first valuable steps in MLS NEXT Pro last season.
Chukwu has also played for Canada at youth level and was invited to a special pre-training camp with the senior team ahead of its Concacaf Nations League series vs. Suriname last November. GM Jason Hernandez is so high on Chukwu that he mentioned the defender by name during last week's town hall with Toronto FC supporters when he was asked about young players coming through the youth system who have the greatest potential to jump to MLS.
In this one-on-one interview with TFC Republic, Chukwu discusses coming up through the youth academy, life in MLS NEXT Pro with TFC 2, training under Jesse Marsch and much more.
