Toronto FC bolsters defence by signing Chilean international Benjamin Kuscevic

Chile's Benjamin Kuscevic, left, and Russia's Ivan Sergeev look on the ball during an international friendly soccer match between Russia and Chile in Sochi, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo)

TORONTO — One day after introducing star striker Josh Sargent, Toronto FC looked to its defence Thursday by signing Chilean international Benjamin Kuscevic.

The 29-year-old centre back from Santiago arrives on loan from Brazil’s Fortaleza for the 2026 MLS season, with an option to purchase.

“Benjamín has established himself as a strong defender and steady presence in prominent leagues in South America and in international competition,” Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez said in a statement. “We look forward to his quick integration with the group and our work together during the 2026 campaign.”

Kuscevic has won 14 caps for Chile, making his senior debut against Honduras in November 2018.

He is expected to partner veteran American Walker Zimmerman, a two-time MLS Defender of the Year, in the heart of the Toronto backline with young defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Zane Monlouis and Lazar Stefanović as understudies.

Kuscevic spent the past three seasons with Fortaleza, where he made 79 appearances with four goals across all competitions. All but two of those appearances were in Brazil’s top flight before Fortaleza was relegated after the 2025 season.

Prior to Fortaleza, Kuscevic spent time with Brazilian top-flight clubs Coritiba (2023) and Palmeiras (2020-23), making a combined 77 appearances for both clubs. Kuscevic won the Copa Libertadores twice (2020, 2021) during his time with Palmeiras.

He began his career with Chile’s CD Universidad Católica, working his way through the ranks before signing his first pro contract with the club in 2013. He made his pro debut at 18 in a Copa Chile match in May 2014 before being sent out on a one-year loan to Real Madrid, where he featured for the Spanish powerhouse’s reserve team.

After returning to Católica, he scored six goals across 88 appearances in six seasons (2015-2020) for the club.

The six-foot-one 163-pound Kuscevic will wear No. 13 for Toronto, joining the likes of Steven Caldwell, Patrick Mullins and Chris Pozniak.

MLSE president and chief executive officer Keith Pelley had signalled Thursday’s signing, if not by name, at Wednesday’s news conference formally introducing Sargent, who arrives on a transfer fee worth up to US$27 million from England’s Norwich City.

Other new faces this season are Hungarian international winger Daniel Salloi, Colombian youth international forward Emilio Aristizabal, Brazilian fullback/wingback Matheus Pereira, veteran American goalkeeper William Yarbrough and Canadian defender Raheem Edwards.

Asked if more moves were expected, Hernandez said the club would not be done until the transfer window closes in some three weeks time.

“We’ve been quite busy and we’ve made quite a few signings,” he said after Wednesday’s news conference introducing Sargent.

“Certainly we do want to give the group some time to settle and come together and see what we have. And then understand what might be some gaps still,” he added.

Toronto, which lost 3-2 at FC Dallas and 3-0 at Vancouver in its first two games of the season, visits FC Cincinnati on Sunday. Its home opener is March 14 against the New York Red Bulls.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press