It’s official that Kadin Chung is elevating his game from purple to the Reds. After weeks of speculation it was confirmed Wednesday that Toronto FC has signed the Pacific FC defender to a Major League Soccer contract through 2023 with options for 2024 and 2025.
“Kadin has had a good preseason and has earned a spot on our roster,” Toronto FC head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley said in a statement.
“He’s coming off a very good season in the CPL with Pacific FC and we think Kadin is going to continue to improve and give us some depth at the right back position,” added Bradley, a former U.S. World Cup player.
Pacific FC says it’s more recognition for the Tridents program as Chung has joined fellow original three-season PFC defender Lukas MacNaughton in signing with Toronto FC.
“It’s a cause for celebration, as far as we’re concerned, to have two players move up to MLS,” said Rob Friend, the CEO, GM and co-owner of PFC.
“It’s huge for us. It’s what we’re all about as a club and as a league. It shows our players are good players. It proves you can move up. It’s great for recruiting.”
According to Tranfermarkt, PFC received a transfer fee of $175,000 for MacNaughton. Transfermarkt lists Chung’s move as a free transfer. Tranfermarkt lists Chung’s current market value at $220,000.
He will play in a TFC backfield which is rumoured to possibly include 26-time Italy capped Genoa left-back Domenico Criscito. There are openings on the TFC backline after Canadian national team player Richie Laryea left for Nottingham Forest, Brazilian Auro Jr. to Santos and Justin Morrow retired.
The 23-year-old New Westminster native Chung was the first player signed by Pacific FC in club history, returning to his home province in 2019 from Kaiserslautern II in Germany. The former sa国际传媒 U-17 and U-20 player was named to the Canadian Olympic team U-23 provisional roster for the Tokyo Olympics.
“[The CPL] was huge. It gave me an opportunity to play regularly … which was a big part of my development,” Chung this week told Kristian Jack of CanPL.ca.
“The CPL is an amazing league already. It’s been around only three years but you can tell each year the game is growing within the league. It pushed me to try to get to that next level. Someone is always watching. It was storybook [ending his PFC tenure as a CPL champion]. I’m not a flashy player in any way or take the headlines but my game has been consistently good over the last three years and it has been recognized. I’m here [with TFC] not only to grow as a player and person but to make an impact. Having Lucas [MacNaughton] here has definitely helped me settle in and with the transition. It has given me a bit of confidence.”
Chung began his pro career with Vancouver Whitecaps II and appeared in 57 games for PFC with two goals over three CPL seasons as a reliable, forward-moving fullback.
“Kadin deserves this. He is more than ready for the MLS,” said Friend, himself a former Bundesliga pro capped 32 times for sa国际传媒.
Toronto FC opens the MLS season Saturday in Texas against FC Dallas.
PFC opens April 10 at Starlight Stadium against fellow CPL power Forge FC of Hamilton in a reprise of the 2021 CPL championship game won 1-0 by the Tridents at Tim Hortons Field in December.
