Striker Malik Henry achieves advancement, secures professional contract with Toronto Football Club's senior squad
Toronto Football Club (TFC) has signed Canadian midfielder Malik Henry to a first team-contract through 2025, with club options for 2026 and 2027. The announcement was made prior to TFC's game at the Philadelphia Union on Saturday [1].
Henry, aged 23, hails from Hamilton, Ontario, and has spent three years in the TFC academy, playing across the U-15, U-16, and U-17 age groups [6]. His rise through the ranks has been impressive, as he led TFC II (the club’s MLS Next Pro team) in assists with five in 18 appearances in the 2025 season, including 12 starts [1].
Henry made his MLS debut for TFC’s senior team on June 25, 2025, against the New York Red Bulls, and had signed several short-term agreements with the first team before earning the full contract [1][5]. He has already made two appearances for TFC's first team [7].
Jason Hernandez, TFC's General Manager, stated that Henry has been promoted to the first team for the remainder of the 2025 season [2]. Henry's experience in the TFC academy might have contributed to his ability to make two appearances for TFC's first team [8].
Henry's collegiate career did not begin until after his time in the TFC academy. He played for the University of North Carolina in 2020 and transferred to the University of Akron, where he spent the following three years [6].
Prior to his collegiate career, Henry played youth soccer with Hamilton United [6]. His youth and amateur club career also included Toronto FC III in League1 Ontario, and Flint City Bucks in USL League Two [5].
Internationally, Henry represented Canada at the U-15 level, making three appearances and scoring one goal at the 2017 CONCACAF U-15 Championship [4]. In July 2025, TFC acquired Henry's MLS rights from CF Montréal, including a transfer with conditional general allocation money and a future draft pick [5].
Henry was selected 39th overall in the 2nd round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by CF Montréal, but TFC exercised these options to retain control over his contract beyond 2025 [1][2][3][4][5].
Height: 5’6”, weight: 150 lbs. Born July 23, 2002, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada [4].
In summary, Malik Henry is a young Canadian midfielder who progressed through TFC’s developmental teams and was promoted to the senior roster with a contract through 2025 plus club options for the next two seasons. He has shown strong performance in MLS Next Pro, made appearances with the MLS first team, and previously was drafted by Montréal before Toronto acquired his rights [1][4][5].
References: [1] Toronto FC [2] MLS [3] Sportsnet [4] Canadian Soccer Association [5] TSN [6] Hamilton Spectator [7] Toronto Sun [8] Toronto Star
- Malik Henry, born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, has been promoted to Toronto Football Club's (TFC) first team for the remainder of the 2025 season, following his impressive performances in TFC II.
- In addition to his accomplishments in sports, Henry's educational career includes playing for the University of North Carolina and the University of Akron after his time in TFC's academy.
- Henry's artistic interests also seem to be apparent, as he represented Canada at the U-15 level in the CONCACAF U-15 Championship in 2017.
- With TFC's first team contract, Henry will strive to make his mark as a midfielder, potentially earning a spot to compete in the Champions League or other European leagues under the sports analysis.
