In April 2023, AFC Toronto was established by a group of local soccer community members, including Helena Ruken, Brenda Ha, Jill Burgin, Billy Wilson, Mike Ruthard, Kamal Sandhu, and Shamez Mangalji.[1] They became the third club to enter as a founding member of the Northern Super League, which will launch its inaugural season in 2025.[2][3] Although several of the founders held a connection with the North Toronto Nitros, including Ruken who serves as the Nitros President, AFC Toronto will operate as a separate entity.[4] In January 2024, Canadian Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse joined the club as an investor.[5][6] In June 2024, the club unveiled their official branding, maroon and vermillion serving as the team's colours, and their crest, which features a letter T at the centre symbolizing Toronto and mirrored 7s on either side representing the team’s original seven founding members, as well as the city’s original six boroughs plus the GTA.[7][8] It was announced that the team would play at York Lions Stadium as their home venue for the 2025 season, sharing the venue with Canadian Premier League club York United FC and MLS Next Pro side Toronto FC II.[9][10] In October 2024, Jade Kovacevic was unveiled as the club and league's first ever player signing.[11]
