Toronto FC and Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen have officially parted ways after both parties mutually agreed to terminate his loan deal, effective immediately. The announcement, made Tuesday, comes as something of a surprise to fans who expected Brynhildsen to play a larger role in the club’s ongoing rebuild under head coach John Herdman.
Brynhildsen, who joined Toronto on loan earlier this year from Molde FK, was seen as an important attacking option capable of injecting pace, creativity, and finishing quality into the front line. However, his stint in Major League Soccer never truly took off. Limited appearances, coupled with injuries and competition for minutes, meant that the 24-year-old struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter. As Toronto looked to balance squad depth with long-term planning, the decision was reached to end the loan prematurely.
Toronto FC, currently aiming to climb back into playoff contention, has made a number of roster adjustments in recent weeks. With new signings and internal promotions from their academy system, the club is clearly reshaping its squad to fit Herdman’s vision. The departure of Brynhildsen not only frees up a valuable international roster spot but also provides financial flexibility as the club considers reinforcements in other areas, particularly midfield and defense.
For Brynhildsen, the move represents an opportunity to reset and refocus his career. Returning to Molde gives him a familiar environment in which he has already thrived. At just 24, he remains a player with significant upside, and his next steps will be closely watched both in Norway and abroad. Given his technical ability and attacking instincts, it is unlikely this setback will define his career trajectory.
Toronto fans may feel a degree of disappointment, as Brynhildsen’s arrival had generated excitement and optimism. However, the swift resolution suggests that both the player and the club prioritized what was best for their respective futures. In a league where roster maneuvering is often as important as on-field performance, this type of pragmatic decision is sometimes necessary.
Looking ahead, Toronto FC will now focus on integrating new signings like José Cifuentes, who arrived from Rangers, while continuing to rely on established leaders such as Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. With the season still in progress, Herdman will hope that squad cohesion and attacking consistency improve, even without Brynhildsen in the lineup.
In the end, while the Norwegian forward’s time in Toronto proved short-lived, his exit underscores the club’s determination to keep evolving as they push to return to the top tier of MLS competition.
Leave a Reply