Richie Laryea turns down Toronto FC offer to join Nottingham Forest

MLS exports continue as today Toronto FC confirmed that Richie Laryea will join Nottingham Forest on a 3 and a half year contract, according to the North American press. 

The 27-year-old player was part of the Canadian team that beat Mexico 2-1, which put his team at the top of the World Cup qualifiers for Qatar 2022. 

What offer did Laryea turn down to leave MLS? 

The player arrives as a buyout from Nottingham Forest, and according to correspondent Sarah Clapson, the agreement with which the player arrives at his new club will be for three and a half years. 

According to the same correspondent, the Toronto native turned down a four-year offer with Toronto FC to move to his new club in a deal believed to be valued at about $1.2 million. 

Laryea was scheduled to undergo a physical with Forest on Thursday, so the home team at the City Ground can introduce him to their fans. 

Laryea has been constant in his goal and has long let his team know, after consolidating with them, that his ultimate aspiration would be to go and test his skills in Europe. 

And it seems that his wishes came true, however so far his team has not given details about the contract and all that is known is from correspondents in Europe. 

Reactions to Laryea's departure from Toronto FC

In the words of Toronto FC president Bill Manning, there was only thanks for the player, who has given so much to the Reds, which is curiously the same way they call Nottingham Forest, his new team. 

The president said: “It has been a pleasure to watch Richie blossom here at his hometown club and become a full-fledged member of the Canadian national team."

"Richie thrilled our fans with his explosive speed, incredible dribbling, and commitment to winning. We have worked closely with Richie and his representation on this transaction as he follows his dream of playing in England, and we wish him all the best in his time at Nottingham Forest," Manning concluded.

Are Laryea's numbers what Nottingham Forest needs?

Richie Laryea may be lacking in certain aspects but there is one thing that is indisputable: his consistency and commitment to the team, which could help a team like the Tricky Trees. 

Laryea's soccer career began at Orlando City FC after he was picked seventh in the 2016 MLS Superdraft out of the University of Akron. 

That period in Orlando was not good for the international of the Canadian national soccer team, so in 2019 he arrived at Toronto FC, with which his life would change.

In Toronto, he made 83 appearances in all competitions with nine goals and 12 assists for the Reds. 

Laryea was a key member of the club's run to the Eastern Conference Championship and advancement to MLS Cup in 2019, as well as helping the Reds finish with the second-best record during the MLS 2020 regular season. 

Last season, he made 33 appearances in all competitions with three goals and one assist.

The Canadian national team also saw the player's level of play improve. 

For his national team, he has played 22 games and scored one goal with three assists for the Canadian national team. 

Su partido más reciente fue durante la victoria por 2-1 de Canadá sobre México el 17 de noviembre de 2021, en un partido de clasificación para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2022.

So yes, apparently Laryea can be the player to help Nottingham Forest move up from the ninth place they now occupy in the FLC.