Toronto FC II announced Thursday that the club has signed forward Ben Spencer to a USL contract. As per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Ben spent the 2015-16 season working hard to rehab and get back to full match fitness with our medical staff,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “At an early age, he has gained a variety of experiences playing internationally and representing the United States in multiple youth tournaments. We have no doubt Ben will be a welcomed addition to the team.”
Spencer, 21, most recently spent the 2015 season on loan with Toronto FC II where he made no appearances for the club as he was rehabbing from an injury. He was originally acquired on loan from Molde Fotballklubb (Molde FK) of the Norwegian Tippeligaen on April 23, 2015. He began his youth career at Real Salt Lake’s Development Academy at the Grande Sports Academy in Arizona during the 2010-11 season, where he scored 22 goals. He left Real Salt Lake Grande Sports Academy during the 2011-12 season for the Chivas USA Development Academy. In December 2012, Spencer agreed to join Molde FK, where he made two appearances during the 2012-13 season. He made his professional debut as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Vålerenga on September 1, 2013. In 2014, Spencer was loaned to the Indy Eleven of the NASL (North American Soccer League) and made a combined 11 appearances scoring two goals in all competitions.
Spencer has represented the United States men’s national team at the U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels. With the U-18 team, Spencer made six appearances, scoring three goals. He represented the United States U-20 team at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica where he appeared in five matches, scoring two goals in the tournament and helped the United States qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. He also featured for the U-20 team during their second place finish at the 2014 Dallas Cup, scoring three goals at the tournament. He scored two goals in the opening match, a 3-2 victory against River Plate, along with a first-half goal during their 3-2 double-overtime victory in the semi-finals against Fluminense. With the U-23 team, Spencer appeared in one match as a substitute during a 3-0 loss to Brazil on October 14, 2014.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC II signed forward Ben Spencer to a USL contract on Thursday, September 8, 2016.
BEN SPENCER
Position: Forward
Height: 6’5
Weight: 195
Birthdate: March 28, 1995
Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nationality: American
Last Club: Molde Fotballklubb (Molde FK)
How Acquired: Toronto FC acquired the Right of First Refusal for Ben Spencer from Real Salt Lake on March 10, 2016 and signed a USL contract with Toronto FC II on Thursday, September 8, 2016.
Pronunciation: “SPEN-SIR”
