TFC's Justin Morrow to retire at end of 2021 MLS season

One of Toronto FC’s most loyal and longest-serving players is hanging up his cleats.

Veteran fullback Justin Morrow announced on Thursday his plans to retire at the end of the 2021 MLS season in a move that draws his professional career to a close after 12 seasons in the league.

Morrow, a native of Cleveland who turns 34 next month, has been one of the Reds’ most consistent players since joining the team prior to the 2014 MLS season via a trade with the San Jose Earthquakes. Toronto gave up allocation money in exchange for Morrow in what turned out to be one of Tim Bezbatchenko's shrewdest moves as general manager. Morrow re-signed a new deal with TFC back in February.

In eight seasons with Toronto, Morrow racked up 246 appearances across all competitions, the second-most in club history (behind only Jonathan Osorio, with 280), while scoring 18 goals and tallying 20 assists. He is one of just four players to reach the "200 club" for TFC (Osorio, Michael Bradley and Mark Delgado are the others).