Lazar Stefanovic Bio
Lazar Stefanovic (Serbian: Stefanović; born August 10, 2006) is a professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. Born in the United States, he represented Canada at youth level. Standing at 187 cm, he is one of the youngest defenders to feature for Toronto FC’s first team. Stefanovic is of Serbian descent and developed through the Toronto FC Academy system.
Early Life and Background
Lazar Stefanovic was born on August 10, 2006, in Clearwater, Florida, United States. He moved to Canada at a young age and was raised in Oakville, Ontario, where he continues to reside. His family background is of Serbian heritage, which gives him eligibility to represent the United States, Canada, or Serbia at the international level.
Stefanovic began playing soccer at age three with Oakville SC, an early start that helped shape his development as a defender. In 2016, at the age of ten, he joined the Toronto FC Academy, marking the beginning of a long association with the Major League Soccer club. By his early teens, he was identified as one of the promising young prospects within the Toronto FC development pipeline.
Path to Soccer
Stefanovic’s progression through the Toronto FC system was steady and notable for his age. He joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2016 and worked his way up through the club’s youth ranks over the following years. In June 2023, his performances at the academy level earned him a selection to the MLS Next All-Star Game, a recognition given to top young talents in the league’s development pathway.
His early international recognition also shaped his path. In August 2022, he was called up to a United States U17 team training camp. Later that October, he made his debut in the Canadian program, attending a camp with the Canada U17 team. Stefanovic chose to represent Canada, the country where he was raised, and went on to feature for Canada at multiple youth tournaments.
Lazar Stefanovic Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Stefanovic’s senior career began in 2021, when he played with Toronto FC IV in the League1 Ontario Summer Championship. The appearance gave him his first taste of competitive senior soccer at the age of fifteen. The following year, on April 30, 2022, he made his professional debut with Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro against FC Cincinnati 2 as an academy call-up, stepping into the professional ranks while still a teenager.
Throughout 2022 and into 2023, Stefanovic continued to develop with Toronto FC II, earning consistent playing time as an academy player. His composure and positional awareness at centre-back stood out despite his young age, and he was viewed internally as a player on a clear development track toward the first team.
Toronto FC First Team Breakthrough (2023)
On June 30, 2023, Stefanovic signed an official professional contract with Toronto FC II, having already played 13 games that season as an academy call-up. The very next day, he joined the Toronto FC first team on a short-term loan. He made his Major League Soccer debut that day as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to Real Salt Lake.
At 16 years, 10 months, and 22 days old, Stefanovic became the second-youngest player ever to appear in an MLS match for Toronto FC. He signed another short-term loan ahead of a Leagues Cup match against the Mexican club Atlas later that summer, gaining further experience against senior international opposition.
Stefanovic joined the Toronto FC first team for their 2024 preseason training camp, signalling the club’s intent to integrate him into the senior squad. He missed much of the 2024 season due to a broken bone suffered while on international duty, which temporarily halted his momentum. Despite the setback, his trajectory within the organization remained strong.
Toronto FC Era (2025–Present)
After initially signing as an off-roster player earlier, Stefanovic officially joined the Toronto FC first team roster for the 2025 season. The move confirmed his status as a senior member of the squad at the age of eighteen. During the 2025 campaign, he was also loaned to Toronto FC II for selected matches to ensure continued playing time and development.
On June 18, 2025, Stefanovic was called up as a training player with the Canada senior team during the group stage of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The invitation reflected his growing reputation and his standing as one of Canada’s most promising young defenders heading into the next phase of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although primarily a soccer player, Stefanovic’s strengths as a centre-back include strong aerial ability aided by his 187 cm frame, positional discipline, and comfort playing out from the back. He reads the game well for a young defender and has shown composure in high-pressure MLS matches. His development within the Toronto FC system has emphasized tactical awareness and consistency in one-on-one defending.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stefanovic’s signature early milestone came on July 1, 2023, when he became the second-youngest player to appear in an MLS match for Toronto FC. His selection to the 2023 MLS Next All-Star Game and his representation of Canada at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where he scored his first international goal against Puerto Rico U17 on February 22, 2023, also stand out as defining moments in his young career.
Lazar Stefanovic Career Wins
Lazar Stefanovic is still in the early stages of his professional career, and verified team or individual trophies are limited. His most notable on-field achievements to date include scoring his first international goal at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and earning selection to the 2023 MLS Next All-Star Game.
Toronto FC Highlights
Stefanovic made his professional debut with Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro on April 30, 2022, against FC Cincinnati 2. His Major League Soccer debut followed on July 1, 2023, in a substitute appearance against Real Salt Lake, where he became the second-youngest player to feature for Toronto FC in an MLS match.
Other Wins & Performances
Stefanovic represented Canada at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and scored against Puerto Rico U17 in February 2023. He was also named to the Canada U20 squad for the 2024 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship qualifiers, marking another step in his international development.
Lazar Stefanovic Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lazar Stefanovic is of Serbian descent, which is reflected in the Serbian spelling of his surname, Stefanović. He was born in the United States and raised in Canada, and is eligible to represent all three nations at the international level. Limited public information is available about his parents or extended family.
Personal Life
Stefanovic resides in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, where he was raised after moving from his birthplace of Clearwater, Florida. He is focused on his professional soccer career with Toronto FC and the Canadian youth national team setup. Further personal details, including marital status, are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Stefanovic’s official first full year on the Toronto FC first team roster after initially signing as an off-roster player. He has split time between the senior squad and Toronto FC II, where he has been loaned for selected matches to maintain match sharpness and continue his development as a centre-back.
A major highlight came on June 18, 2025, when Stefanovic was called up as a training player with the Canada senior team during the group stage of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The invitation underlines his standing as one of the country’s top young defensive prospects and provides valuable exposure to senior international football.
Looking ahead, Stefanovic is positioned to play an increasingly important role for Toronto FC as he continues to gain experience at the MLS level. With his combination of physical attributes, tactical maturity, and international exposure, his outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond remains promising.