Matty Longstaff is closing in on a surprise return to football following his release from Newcastle United last June.
As revealed by The Mail’s Craig Hope, the Geordie midfielder is all set to join MLS side Toronto FC, where he’ll play alongside former Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne and work under Consett-born head coach John Herdman.
The 23-year-old suffered a serious knee injury during his last spell in football – a six-month loan at Colchester United – and had stints at Aberdeen and Mansfield prior to that.
His career hasn’t quite kicked on since scoring on his Premier League debut against Man Utd almost five years ago, but it’s great to hear he is fit again and venturing to the MLS to kick-start his career.
Speaking to NewcastleWorld in December about his recovery from injury and eventual exit, he said: “I can’t thank Newcastle enough for what they’ve done. Everything I have needed, they’ve been there for me and I’ve been working with the physio Alex throughout. She’s been unbelievable and I’m very lucky with the way the manager and Dan Ashworth have dealt with me.
“They’ve allowed me to be around the building all of the time, they speak to me every day and keep me involved in everything. That shows the sort of people that are around the football club now, it’s not just about football with them, they’re about the human side of things too. They’ve been with me every step of the way.”
Good luck in Canada, Matty!
🇨🇦 Great news from Canada, I’m told Matty Longstaff is about to sign for Toronto FC in MLS
⚫️ Ex NUFC midfielder is fit again after serious knee injury & doing very well
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) February 29, 2024
