Transaction tracker: TFC acquires international roster slot from CF Montreal

The transaction tracker at TFC Republic is a special feature where we will list all the roster additions and cuts, trades, signings and re-signings, and transfers made by Toronto FC, and examine what each move means for the club moving forward. 

It's a great way to keep tabs on what Toronto FC is doing and how it's building its roster, as we look at each transaction in a bit of detail. To view the full transaction tracker, click on the link below: 

Feb. 21, 2024: Reds secure an international roster slot

Toronto FC acquired a 2024 international roster slot from CF Montreal in exchange for $175,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) split between 2024 and 2025. TFC will send $50,000 in GAM to Montreal in 2024 and $125,000 in GAM in 2025.

Quick analysis: This trade comes one day after TFC acquired defender Kevin Long from Birmingham City of the EFL Championship. Both transactions are linked in that the Reds couldn't have secured Long without gaining the international roster slot from Montreal. 

This takes some explaining of the league's rules. 

For the 2024 MLS season, all clubs will be given eight international roster slots. It's important to keep in mind that international roster slots can be traded, so some teams might have more or fewer than eight at any given time. There isn't any kind of limit in terms of trading international roster slots. 

Prior to Long coming aboard, Toronto had 11 international players signed for this coming season. All eight of the Reds' international roster slots are filled, but they get three more thanks to a league rule that was introduced prior to the 2022 MLS regular season. Here’s how it reads: 

In addition to the International Roster Slots, each Canadian Club is permitted to designate up to three (3) International Players who have been under contract with MLS and registered with one or more Canadian clubs for at least one year who will not count toward the club’s International Roster Slots.

Because Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi, Raoul Petretta and Sigurd Rosted each had one year of MLS service to a Canadian team under their belt at the end of last season, TFC is entitled to the extra three international roster slots for the 2024 campaign.

The acquisition of Long meant Toronto had 12 international players on its roster, which meant it was one over its limit. The trade with Montreal addresses that and means the club is roster compliant in terms of international roster slots.

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