TFC rewards goalkeeper Bono with new and improved contract
Toronto FC has rewarded goalkeeper Alex Bono with a new contract.
The deal comes amid speculation of European club interest in Bono, a talented shot stopper.
The 24-year-old, from Baldwinsville, N.Y., established himself as the club’s first-choice ’keeper in 2017 and helped the team to the MLS championship last season and the CONCACAF Champions League final in April.
“There was interest and it was serious,” said Costa Smyrniotis, Bono’s agent.
But Toronto and Bono, who won his first U.S. cap in a 3-0 win over Bolivia on May 28, wanted to strengthen their bond.
“He loves this city and the club,” Smyrniotis said. “He wanted to be here and Toronto FC made it clear with their actions they wanted him as their No. 1 for years to come.”
The deal likely restores order to the financial pecking order among Toronto ’keepers. Bono was making $102,200 US this season, according to the MLS Players Association. That’s less than backup Clint Irwin, the former No. 1 who is earning $221,312.
Bono is the latest TFC player to be locked up. Toronto also handed out new contracts to defenders Justin Morrow and Chris Mavinga and playmaker Victor Vazquez earlier this year.
Bono was selected in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. He has played 60 regular-season and playoff games for Toronto with 19 shutouts.
“Alex was a big part of our success last season,” Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko said. “He set club (regular-season) records for wins (19) and clean sheets (10) and was a critical piece of our championship team.
“Since joining the club as a first-round pick in 2015, Alex’s ability to make key saves in big moments has been critical to our success.”
Bono also holds Toronto FC’s record for wins across all competitions (37). His record this season is 7-6-5, with four shutouts, in MLS and CONCACAF Champions League play.