LAFC acquires Canadian international forward Shaffelburg from Nashville

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles FC has acquired Canadian international Jacob Shaffelburg from Nashville SC, the Major League Soccer club announced Monday.

Nashville receives US$500,000 in general allocation money in 2026 and another $500,000 in 2027 in return. Nashville will retain a sell-on percentage if Shaffelburg is transferred in the future.

The 26-year-old forward from Port Williams, N.S., had 14 goals and 17 assists in 107 appearances (65 starts) across all competitions over four seasons in Nashville.

He had a career-high four goals this year, along with three assists, as Nashville recorded a franchise-high 16 wins in MLS play and won its first-ever trophy, the 2025 U.S. Open Cup.

Shaffelburg started his MLS career with Toronto FC, where he had three goals in 61 appearances (34 starts) across all competitions from 2019-2022.

He made his first appearance for Toronto in a CONCACAF Champions League match on Feb. 19, 2019, and later signed as a homegrown player that June. He helped Toronto win the Canadian Championship in 2020.

Shaffelburg made his senior international debut for Canada on Jan. 10, 2020, in a friendly against Barbados.

He has six goals and one assist in 31 games (12 starts) for the Canadian men.

Shaffelburg was named the men’s Best Young Canadian Player by Canada Soccer in 2021.

“Jacob is a versatile, attack-minded player who brings incredible pace and intensity to our group,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a release. “He has proven himself at the international level with Canada and enters an important year with big ambitions ahead, hopefully including the (2026) World Cup.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2025.