TFC's Kobe Franklin looking to build on solid rookie season

In a team full of veterans and high-priced DPS, it was Kobe Franklin who was one of Toronto FC's best and most consistent performers in 2023.

The club's signing of the youngster last February looked like it was move that would give TFC some added depth at the fullback position. It turned out to be much more than that as the youth academy graduate and former TFC 2 standout proved to be the senior team's breakout player of the year.

In his rookie campaign, Franklin played in 27 MLS games (23 as a starter) and logged an impressive 2,172 minutes (second-most on the club). A native of Toronto, Franklin was a true revelation during the Reds' dismal season, earning praise and the respect of his teammates for his stellar defensive play and ability to bomb down the flanks in support of the attack.   

So, where does the 20-year-old Franklin go from here? In this one-on-one interview with TFC Republic, Franklin talks about life under John Herdman, how the return of Richie Laryea affects him, his personal goals for this season, and much more.

This Q&A has been lightly edited and trimmed for brevity and clarity.