Sources: Valour FC exercise Themi Antonoglou’s option amidst growing MLS interest

Valour FC announced last week that the club had picked up its option on 23-year old full-back Themi Antonoglou. The move, sources familiar with the situation told The Wanderers Notebook, comes amidst growing MLS interest, with a handful of clubs in talks with Valour to potentially obtain the Toronto-born defender’s services ahead of the impending MLS season.

Last year, Antonoglou left Toronto FC in search of first team football and proved himself as a game breaker for head coach Phil dos Santos’ squad. Now, having earned a nomination for CPL Defender of the Year and co-led the league in assists, MLS clubs are interested in the attacking full-back’s skillset with training camps fully underway.

MLS sources said conversations are ongoing but with his option getting picked up, any move for Antonoglou now guarantees Valour a transfer fee. Given Antonoglou’s importance to Valour’s squad, it remains to be seen if the club are willing to part with the player.

Antonoglou originally came up through Toronto FC’s academy. He registered 13 appearances for Toronto’s first team after signing his first pro deal in 2019 but was unable to secure regular minutes, having spent the majority of his time with TFCII, where he made 60 appearances. Still, Antonoglou has always had an offensive streak, totaling 10 goals and nine assists during his time in Toronto.

But in Winnipeg, Antonoglou showed growth, continuing to contribute offensively while playing a key role on the defensive side of the ball as well. He led the league in interceptions, was fourth in tackles and, across his 27 appearances, became a stalwart for the Winnipeg-based club. He is also the first defender to lead the league in assists.

Antonoglou was also named to the 2024 CPL Best XI.

Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League