TORONTO, Canada—Ayo Akinola received a nice birthday present on Thursday as Toronto FC officially announced that they have signed the Canadian striker to a new deal that will run through the 2024 season with an option for 2025. The 22-year-old forward was out of contract and could have signed with several clubs overseas that showed interest.
Akinola, 22, was signed as the club’s first U-22 initiative signing, meaning he may earn up to $200,000 more than the Maximum Salary Budget Charge in any given year ($612,500 in 2021) but only $200,000 will be charged to the team’s salary budget.