Top goalie Bono nets improved contract
Toronto FC has rewarded goalkeeper Alex Bono with a new contract.
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.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling for me,” Bono said. “I’m very excited, I’m very happy that I get to stay in Toronto. I love the city, I love the club, I love the guys. So it’s a really, really happy day for me.”
The new deal came amid speculation of European club interest in Bono.
“There was interest and it was serious,” said Costa Smyrniotis, the keeper’s agent.
But Toronto and Bono wanted to strengthen their bond.
“Ultimately both sides were keen on getting things done,” Smyrniotis said. “It was very professional.
“He loves this city and the club. 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 (U.S.) 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 was selected in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. He entered the league with a Generation Adidas contract, given to a select few talented underclassmen, and paid tribute to goalkeeper coach Jon Conway, saying he was “really raw and undeveloped” when he first came to Toronto.
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.
“Alex was a big part of our success last season,” Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement.
“He set club (regular-season) records for wins (19) and clean sheets (10) and was a critical piece of our championship team.”
Bono’s record this season is 7-6-5, with four shutouts, in MLS and CONCACAF Champions League play.
“His brightest years are still very much ahead of him,” said Toronto coach Greg Vanney.