Teenage defender Stefan Kapor rising up the ranks at Toronto FC

TORONTO — Stefan Kapor calls it “a dream come true.”

The 16-year-old defender, who signed an MLS Next Pro contract with Toronto FC II in February, learned last week he will join the first team next year via a homegrown player contract that runs through 2029 with a club option for 2030.

“It’s just surreal, but I know I have a lot of work to do,” he said. “I’ve just been blessed.”

The lanky defender is the 38th player — and second-youngest (after 15-year-old Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty in January 2020) — in club history to sign for the TFC first team from the academy.

First up for Kapor, however, is international duty with Canada at next month’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Kapor joins Richard Chukwu, Timothy Fortier and Elijah Roche from the TFC academy on the Canadian roster.

Toronto FC II’s Antone Bossenberry will travel with the team as an alternate player.

Kapor has been in the TFC system since he was 10, when he joined the pre-academy.

After getting a taste of TFC 2 football at the end of the 2024 season, he appeared in 11 games for the reserve team his season, playing 737 minutes.

“Just a lot of learnings,” he said. “I’ve been in the gym a lot.”

At six foot three and 170 pounds, Kapor has plenty of frame to fill out.

TFC 2 coach Gianni Cimini says Kapor’s confidence has soared in recent months

“You start to see some of his natural skill sets shine through. Technically very good on the ball, very good in aerial duels. Has had moments of training with the first team and has done well. We’re really happy with his progression.”

TFC 2 (10-12-6) finished ninth in the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference, one point out of the playoffs. A 2-1 loss at the New York Red Bulls 2 on the final day of the regular season Oct. 5 ended its campaign.

A native of Stoney Creek, Ont., Kapor commutes to training with his father, who works in Mississauga.

“It’s been many hours bonding with my dad (in the car), for sure,” he said with a smile.

Kapor has savoured his time training with the first team.

“They were really welcoming,” he said. “But it’s football. When you make a mistake, they’re going to be on you … There’s a huge different level from the technical side of things, physical side of things. It’s a whole different game.”

Kapor comes from athletic parents. His father played semi-professional basketball in Europe while his mother played volleyball.

Kapor took up soccer at three, playing midfielder until he was 10 when he shifted to centre back. It remain his preferred position with Liverpool and Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk his role model (although Kapor is a Chelsea fan).

A Grade 11 student, he attends Blyth Academy, located near the TFC training grounds, which is known for its Elite Athletics program. It makes for a busy day, with his alarm clock going off at 5:30 or 6 a.m.

He reports to the training ground around 9:30 a.m., has gym sessions around training, then heads to school after lunch. There is also online learning.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2025