Kobe Franklin Bio
Kobe Lloyd Franklin (born May 10, 2003) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a defender for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Franklin developed through local youth programs before breaking into professional ranks with Toronto FC III at the age of 15. He is recognized for becoming the youngest goal scorer in League1 Ontario history and for working his way from the club’s developmental sides to the Major League Soccer first team.
A left-footed defender with a strong attacking mindset, Franklin has earned league recognition in the United States lower divisions and has represented Canada at multiple youth international tournaments. He signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC in February 2023 and continues to feature for the club in domestic and continental competition.
Early Life and Background
Born in Toronto, Franklin grew up in a household where sport was part of daily life. He first kicked a ball at the age of four, joining Beach Community Soccer, a neighborhood program that gave him his earliest organized training. The early start allowed him to build a comfort with the ball that coaches would later identify as one of his defining traits.
Not long after, he moved to Power Soccer Academy, where he continued to refine his technique in a more structured environment. When Franklin was nine, his family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, briefly shifting his soccer path. In the Chicago area, he lined up with Evanston SC before quickly being recruited into the academy of Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire. The experience of training within a Major League Soccer academy at such a young age helped shape his understanding of professional standards.
The family later returned to Toronto, and in February 2017, Franklin joined the Toronto FC Academy. There he moved through age-group teams while balancing high school studies, preparing himself for the demands of senior competition.
Path to Soccer
Franklin’s progression through the Toronto FC Academy gave him a clear route to senior football. Coaches in the system exposed him to high-tempo training sessions and tactical drills typical of professional environments, and he used those years to add muscle and improve his reading of the game. His performances in youth matches earned him a place in the club’s senior development squad.
He made his senior debut for Toronto FC III on August 19, 2018, in a League1 Ontario fixture against Ottawa South United. Coming on as a late substitute, Franklin scored in the 94th minute to become the youngest goal scorer in League1 Ontario history at 15 years and three months old. The record-setting strike announced his arrival in senior soccer and underlined the attacking instincts that had caught the attention of academy coaches.
Following the shortened 2020 season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Franklin was promoted again, this time to the club’s USL League One side. The path through Toronto FC III, Toronto FC II, and eventually the Major League Soccer first team reflected the structured pipeline that the organization has built for Canadian talent.
Kobe Franklin Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Franklin’s earliest senior appearances came with Toronto FC III, the club’s entry in the semi-professional League1 Ontario. After his record-breaking debut goal in 2018, he continued to play regularly for the team through the 2019 and 2020 seasons, lining up mostly as a left back with license to push forward. The role allowed him to showcase the technical quality and crossing ability that had marked him out in the academy.
During this period, Franklin also represented Canada at the youth international level, joining the Canada U-17 squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. The experience of competing against some of the top teenage talents from around the world gave him an early sense of the intensity required at elite levels of the game.
Toronto FC II Breakthrough (2021–2022)
On May 13, 2021, Franklin signed his first professional contract with Toronto FC II of USL League One, joining the team for the 2021 season. He made his debut for the second team on May 22, 2021, against North Texas SC, and quickly became a regular in the starting lineup. His first professional goal arrived on August 18 against Forward Madison, capping a steady rise through the side.
Franklin’s most productive outing of the season came on October 1, when he recorded two assists and helped set up a third goal in a 3-0 victory over North Carolina FC. His all-around play at both ends of the field earned him a place on the league’s First Team All-Star list, and he was a finalist for both the USL League One Young Player of the Year and Defender of the Year awards. He was then invited to train with the Toronto FC first team ahead of the 2022 Major League Soccer season and again ahead of 2023.
Toronto FC Era (2022–Present)
Franklin joined the Toronto FC first team on a series of short-term loans beginning April 1, 2022, eventually making his Major League Soccer debut on May 4, 2022, as a second-half substitute against FC Cincinnati. The initial appearances were brief, but they offered a glimpse of how his style could translate to the top North American league.
In February 2023, Franklin signed a two-year homegrown player contract with two additional option years, formalizing his place in the senior squad. After a run of substitute outings, he made his first Major League Soccer start on April 29, 2023, against New York City FC. A signature moment arrived on August 4, 2024, when he scored his first goal for the club, netting the match-winner in a 2-1 victory over Liga MX side Pachuca in the 2024 Leagues Cup. In 2025, he was loaned back to Toronto FC II for some matches to maintain his minutes.
Driving Style and Strengths
Franklin is a left-footed defender who combines defensive responsibility with a willingness to join attacks down the flank. He is comfortable carrying the ball out from the back, delivering crosses, and arriving late into the penalty area, a trait that produced his first professional goal and his match-winner against Pachuca. Coaches have praised his tactical awareness and his ability to read the game against varied opposition.
Notable Events and Milestones
The standout milestones of Franklin’s career to date include becoming the youngest goal scorer in League1 Ontario history in 2018, being named a USL League One First Team All-Star in 2021, making his Major League Soccer debut in 2022, and scoring the winning goal against Pachuca in the 2024 Leagues Cup. He has also represented Canada at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
Kobe Franklin Career Wins
Franklin’s trophy cabinet at the senior level is still developing, but he has collected individual recognition and match-winning moments across multiple competitions. His most celebrated results include the 2024 Leagues Cup victory over Pachuca and key wins with Toronto FC II during the 2021 USL League One campaign.
Toronto FC Highlights
With Toronto FC’s first team, Franklin has helped the club in Major League Soccer regular-season play and in the 2024 Leagues Cup, where his goal against Pachuca proved decisive. His growing list of first-team starts, including his maiden outing against New York City FC in 2023, marks a steady rise in responsibility within the squad.
Other Wins and Performances
Franklin played a leading role in Toronto FC II’s 3-0 win over North Carolina FC in 2021, contributing two assists and helping to create a third goal. That season also included a first professional goal against Forward Madison and a run of performances that earned him a spot on the USL League One First Team All-Star list. He was also part of the Toronto FC III side that set the stage for his move to the professional ranks.
Kobe Franklin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Franklin grew up in a family that supported his athletic development, including a period spent in Chicago that allowed him to train with the Chicago Fire academy. Specific details about his parents and siblings are not publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Off the field, Franklin is based in the Toronto area, where he continues his professional career with Toronto FC. He keeps a low public profile regarding his personal relationships and is focused on his development as a professional soccer player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign has been a year of balance for Franklin, who has split time between Toronto FC’s Major League Soccer first team and the club’s second side, Toronto FC II, in USL League One. The loan spells with Toronto FC II have allowed him to accumulate regular minutes and maintain sharpness, while his work with the senior squad has focused on building trust with the coaching staff and integrating into the team’s defensive structure.
Internationally, Franklin is part of the next wave of Canadian defenders emerging from Major League Soccer academies. His prior experience with the Canada U-17 and Canada U-20 setups suggests he remains on the radar of Canada’s youth national team coaches as he continues to develop.
Looking ahead, Franklin is positioned to compete for a more permanent role in Toronto FC’s starting XI, with the homegrown contract he signed in 2023 running through the coming seasons. Continued growth in his defensive consistency and attacking output from left back will likely determine how quickly he becomes an everyday starter at the Major League Soccer level.