Former Toronto Varsity Blues midfielder, Lukas MacNaughton is on his way back to the Ontario capital.
 
On January 25, it was announced that MacNaughton had signed a contract with the Toronto Football Club, making him the first Varsity Blue in Major League Soccer.
 
"[It's] super exciting," MacNaughton said. "Any time in life you get the chance to make the jump to the next level you have to embrace it and enjoy every moment."
 
"It's been so much hard work but it's all worth it when you're doing what you love every single day. It's a very proud moment for myself to see how much I've grown since first coming to Canada eight years ago."
 
Following his time at U of T, the 6'2 native of Brussels, Belgium, then spent the past three seasons with Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League.
 
Less than two months ago, MacNaughton and his Pacific FC teammates were celebrating a CPL championship, and now MacNaughton gets to start 2022 by celebrating an MLS contract, bringing him back to the city where his Canadian journey first began.
 
"When I moved to Toronto in 2013, I had actually never been to the city," MacNaughton said. "Right away it became so comfortable and a city that I love and have so many connections to."
 
"Returning now it feels like everything has come full circle and I'll be able to keep going where I left off and add to the best years of my life. There was always a strong connection between our Varsity Blues program and TFC so I already feel very comfortable." 
 
Current Varsity Blues men's soccer head coach, Ilya Orlov was the team's lead assistant coach for much of MacNaughton's time as a Blue. Seeing his former student-athlete make the leap to the MLS came as no surprise.
 
"Lukas was an excellent student during his time at U of T, an exceptional person and one of the top players in the country in his position," Orlov said. "He excelled at the OUA and U SPORTS level while at the same time being one of the top players in League1 Ontario."
 
"He has now proven to be one of the top CPL players in his position and that has led to a deserved move to MLS with Toronto FC. Everyone involved with the Varsity Blues is delighted for him and we look forward to his continued success."  
 
In his time at U of T, MacNaughton collected a plethora of awards. During his five seasons with the Blues (2013-2017), MacNuaghton was named a four-time OUA East first team all-star and a two-time second team all-Canadian.
 
MacNaughton dressed in 63 regular season games and 10 playoff games for the Varsity Blues and went on to record 17 goals and an assist.
 
"Being at U of T and representing the school as an athlete was unbelievable," MacNaughton said. "I grew as a player, a person and learned a lot of life lessons."
 
"Spending time on campus hanging out and joking around with the boys we're always some of my favourite moments. There's no doubt I'll be hanging around my favourite spots on campus in the next couple years again."