ORLANDO, Fla. (December 13, 2016) - Orlando City SC has acquired fullback Donny Toia from Atlanta United FC in exchange for City’s natural first-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, pending International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Toia was selected by Atlanta with the first pick in the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday afternoon.
Additionally, Atlanta selected Orlando’s defender Mikey Ambrose in the fourth round of the Expansion Draft.
“We are happy to acquire Donny,” Assistant General Manager Niki Budalic said. “He’s an athletic fullback with MLS experience that will fit into Jason (Kreis’) style.”
Toia joins Orlando City after spending the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Montreal Impact. The 25-year-old defender was a fixture in the Impact lineup, making 44 starts among 48 regular season appearances and notching a goal and two assists. Previously, Toia played 2,240 minutes in 27 appearances for Chivas USA.
Toia came up through the Real Salt Lake Academy and became the first Homegrown player to be signed to a professional contract by RSL in March 2011, while current Lions coach Jason Kreis was with RSL. The Tucson, Ariz., native has made four appearances for the United States youth national teams.
Ambrose, 23, joined Orlando City B ahead of its 2016 United Soccer League (USL) expansion season and was signed to an MLS contract on Aug. 4. Ambrose made four starts among five MLS appearances for City.
“We wish Mikey the best of luck in Atlanta. He is a young, talented player with a bright future and we know he will do well wherever he ends up,” added Budalic.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC has acquired fullback Donny Toia from Atlanta United FC in exchange for a City’s natural first-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, pending ITC.
Name: Donny Toia
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160 lbs.
Birth Date: May 28, 1992
Birthplace: Tucson, Ariz.
Citizenship: USA
