Toronto FC II announced today that the club has signed midfielders Luca Accettola and Markus Cimermancic, defender Kundai Mawoko and goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario from the Toronto FC Academy to MLS NEXT Pro contracts. They will join the club’s roster pending league and federation approval.
"We are thrilled to welcome four exciting prospects from our Academy system," said Toronto FC II Head Coach Gianni Cimini. “We are committed to providing Luca, Markus, Kundai and Adisa all the support needed to elevate their game to the next level this year."
“Luca is a technically gifted and intelligent attacking midfielder who offers ability in combination and final actions,” said Cimini. “Markus is a smart, tireless and resilient midfielder who brings both quality and quantity to the middle of the park.”
Accettola, 19, made three appearances for Toronto FC II during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season, including his debut against FC Cincinnati 2 on April 3. Prior to the Young Reds, he represented the Toronto FC Academy across all age groups and won the U-12 Generation adidas Cup Golden Boot in 2016. The Woodbridge, Ontario native originally joined the TFC Academy in February 2015 after spending five years playing with Vaughan Soccer Club. Internationally, Accettola represented Canada at the 2019 Concacaf Boys' Under-15 Championship in Florida, registering two assists in four appearances at the tournament.
Cimermancic, 18, logged 985 minutes and registered two assists across 15 appearances for TFC II during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season. He made his debut for the Young Reds against New York City FC II on May 8, 2022. He originally joined the TFC Academy in February 2015 and represented the Academy across all age groups after spending seven years playing with Kitchener Spirit.
“Kundai is a highly mobile and versatile player who can break lines on the dribble and defend elite-level wide forwards,” said TFC Academy Director Anthony Capotosto. “Adisa, meanwhile, has shown incredible determination and perseverance over the years and offers athleticism and the ability to play with his feet in the build-up phase. Luca, Markus, Kundai and Adisa all have bright careers ahead of them, and everyone at the Academy is looking forward to watching them progress in their journey as professionals with Toronto FC II.”
Mawoko, 18, a native of Whitby, Ontario, made five appearances for Toronto FC II during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season, including his debut against Columbus Crew 2 on April 24, 2022. He originally joined the TFC Academy in November 2017 and represented the club across six age groups (U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19) after spending three years playing with DeRo United Futbol Academy.
De Rosario, 18, joins Toronto FC II after a short stint with HFX Wanderers FC of the Canadian Premier League (CPL). He signed a short-term development contract in August 2022 and made his debut against Forge FC on October 9, 2022. During the 2022 season, De Rosario also spent time with Toronto FC II on an Academy contract and made his sole appearance in a friendly against Sunderland AFC U-23 on August 3 in Regina, Saskatchewan. The California-born goalkeeper originally joined the TFC Academy in February 2015 and represented the club across all age groups after spending a year each with Vaughan Soccer Club and DeRo United Futbol Academy.
In 2019, Accettola, Cimermancic, Mawoko and De Rosario were all part of the TFC Academy U-15 team that was crowned U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) Conference Champions after posting an undefeated regular season (20-0-1) record. In the same season, Accettola, Cimermancic and De Rosario also helped the U-15 team reach the 2019 Generation adidas Cup Finals in Frisco, Texas before becoming the first Canadian team to win the USSDA National Championship in San Diego, California.
Toronto FC II kick off their 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season with back-to-back road games against FC Cincinnati 2 on Monday, March 27 and Chicago Fire FC II on Friday, March 31. The Young Reds will then host New York City FC II on Friday, April 14 in the club’s 2023 Home Opener at York Lions Stadium.
Toronto FC II’s full schedule can be found HERE.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC II sign midfielders Luca Accettola and Markus Cimermancic, defender Kundai Mawoko and goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario to MLS NEXT Pro contracts.
LUCA ACCETTOLA
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 156 lbs.
Birthdate: February 19, 2004 (Age – 19)
Hometown: Woodbridge, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
MARKUS CIMERMANCIC
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 173 lbs.
Birthdate: October 1, 2004 (Age – 18)
Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
KUNDAI MAWOKO
Position: Defender
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 145 lbs.
Birthdate: February 11, 2005 (Age – 18)
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
ADISA DE ROSARIO
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Birthdate: October 27, 2004 (Age – 18)
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian/American
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
TORONTO FC II ROSTER AS OF MARCH 23, 2023
With the newly signed Academy graduates, Toronto FC II now has 17 players signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts entering the 2023 campaign.
Goalkeepers (2): Adisa De Rosario, Luka Gavran
Defenders (6): Antony Curic, Rohan Goulbourne, Kundai Mawoko, Matthew Medeiros, Adam Pearlman, Jalen Watson
Midfielders (5): Luca Accettola, Matthew Catavolo, Alonso Coello Camarero, Markus Cimermancic, Jordan Faria
Forwards (4): Julian Altobelli, Jesus Batiz, Alec Diaz, Reshaun Walkes
