TORONTO – Toronto FC announced today that the club has signed Western Michigan University alumni forward Charlie Sharp to a Major League Soccer (MLS) contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027.

"We are happy to officially elevate Charlie at this time," said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. "His strong mentality and mature playing style will be a welcomed addition to our young player group in the First Team."

On February 15, 2024, Sharp signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Toronto FC II.  In 16 appearances with TFCII, Sharp tallied five goals and two assists at the MLS NEXT Pro level. Sharp received three short-term call-ups to the First Team and made his TFC debut against Nashville SC on May 15. The Brighton, Michigan native was selected 61st overall (third round) by Toronto FC in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

Before signing with Toronto FC II, Sharp spent five seasons at WMU and recorded 42 goals and 22 assists in 89 appearances. In 2019, Sharp was named the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Year and earned All-MAC First Team honors before earning All-MAC Second Team honors as a junior in 2021. As a senior, he recorded 11 goals and eight assists in 21 matches and collected All-MAC First Team, All-Region First Team, and Academic All-America Second Team selections in 2022. 

After being selected by Toronto FC with the 61st pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, Sharp returned to WMU for one final season. In 20 matches, Sharp led the nation with 19 goals, seven game-winners, and registered eight assists. Sharp's efforts earned him United Soccer Coaches All-American First Team and All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team accolades. Sharp was also named to the TopDrawerSoccer All-American First Team. The forward not only excelled on the field, but in the classroom as well, with a National Scholar Player of the Year honor by the United Soccer Coaches for the 2023 season. He was also named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team. 

In the postseason, Sharp led WMU to a second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance after scoring a hat trick in WMU's opening-round win over Green Bay on November 17, 2023. Later in the second round at 15-seed Duke on Sunday, November 19, Sharp scored the game-winning goal over the Blue Devils to propel WMU to the third round of the NCAA Tournament against 2-seed Notre Dame.  

After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Sharp was named WMU's first ever MAC Hermann Trophy finalist. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most coveted individual honor in college soccer, awarded annually since 1967 for men and 1988 for women.
Sharp left WMU with his name placed throughout the record books including the program's leader in career goals, goals in a season, goals scored in a game, game-winning goals in a season, and consecutive games with a point.
 
For all things WMU men's soccer, make sure to follow the team's socials on Instagram @wmu_menssoccer, X, @wmumenssoccer, and Facebook @wmumenssoccer.