Alonso Coello Bio
Alonso Coello Camarero (born 12 October 1999) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. Standing 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) tall, he wears the number 14 shirt and is recognized for his set-piece quality, vision in midfield, and leadership qualities. After developing through the youth systems of Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, Coello moved to the United States to play college soccer at Florida Atlantic University, where he became one of the program’s most decorated players. He now represents Toronto FC at the top level of North American soccer.
Early Life and Background
Alonso Coello Camarero was born on 12 October 1999 in Madrid, Spain. He began playing football at the age of four with the local club Madrid Sur de Vallecas, where his love for the game quickly took root. At the age of six, Coello joined the Atlético Madrid youth system, where he spent the next five years sharpening his technical foundation.
After his time with Atlético Madrid, Coello moved to the youth setup of Rayo Vallecano, one of Madrid’s most storied neighborhood clubs. He continued his development there until the age of 18, competing at the Juvenil level and winning the Copa Federación Nacional Juvenil with the team. These formative years in two of Spain’s most respected academies shaped his passing game, tactical awareness, and understanding of positional play.
Path to Soccer
Following his time in the Rayo Vallecano youth system, Coello sought a new opportunity that would allow him to combine elite soccer with a university education. In 2018, he enrolled at Florida Atlantic University in the United States, joining the FAU Owls men’s soccer program. He arrived through the La Liga ProPlayer initiative, a pathway that helps Spanish academy players between the ages of 16 and 22 transition to American college soccer while earning a degree.
At FAU, Coello studied economics and quickly established himself as one of the team’s most influential midfielders. During his freshman season, he led the Owls with four assists and was named to the Conference USA All-Conference Third Team and the C-USA All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, he became the first FAU player ever to earn C-USA First Team honors, and he served as team captain from 2019 through 2021, cementing his reputation as a leader on and off the pitch.
Alonso Coello Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Coello’s first senior-level experience came in 2019, when he played for Dalton Red Wolves SC in USL League Two during his college off-season. The stint provided valuable minutes against senior opposition and helped him adjust to the physical demands of American soccer. The following year, he was set to join Portland Timbers U23 in USL2, but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily halting his summer development plans.
Throughout his four years at FAU, Coello continued to collect individual accolades, including All-C-USA Second Team and All-C-USA Tournament Team honors in his senior year. In 2021, he helped lead the Owls to the C-USA finals for the first time in program history and was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team, rounding out a distinguished college career.
Toronto FC II Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In 2022, Coello signed a professional contract with Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro, marking his full-time entry into professional soccer. He made his debut on 3 April 2022 against FC Cincinnati 2 and scored his first professional goal on 8 May 2022, converting a penalty kick against New York City FC II. His composure from the spot and consistency in central midfield quickly made him a focal point of the second team.
That season, Coello served as team captain and logged a team-high 2,189 minutes across 25 appearances, demonstrating his durability and importance to the squad. His leadership and production at the Next Pro level earned him a look from Toronto FC’s first-team staff heading into the 2023 MLS campaign.
Toronto FC Era (2023–Present)
In March 2023, Coello joined the Toronto FC first team on a short-term four-day loan ahead of a match against the San Jose Earthquakes. He made his Major League Soccer debut on 25 March 2023, starting and playing the full 90 minutes against San Jose. After a second short-term loan appearance, he was signed to a permanent first-team contract in April 2023 for the 2023 season, with club options for 2024 and 2025.
During his rookie MLS season, Coello made 21 league appearances, including 17 starts, quickly adapting to the pace and tactical complexity of the senior level. On 19 June 2024, he scored his first MLS goal in a match against Nashville SC, a milestone moment that confirmed his growing influence in the squad. In September 2024, he was briefly loaned back to Toronto FC II following his return from injury, before being rewarded with a three-year contract extension in January 2025 that runs through 2027, with an option for 2028.
Playing Style and Strengths
Coello is a central midfielder known for his passing range, set-piece delivery, and ability to dictate tempo. His college free-kick goal against FIU Panthers in 2018 foreshadowed a career defined by dead-ball quality. He combines Spanish technical training with the physicality developed through years in North American soccer, making him effective in both possession-based build-up and transition moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Coello’s most significant career moments are his MLS debut on 25 March 2023 against San Jose, his first professional goal for Toronto FC II in May 2022, and his first MLS goal on 19 June 2024 against Nashville SC. He also made history at FAU as the program’s first-ever C-USA First Team selection and captained the Owls to their first C-USA finals appearance in 2021.
Alonso Coello Career Wins
Across his youth, college, and professional career, Alonso Coello has compiled a steady list of team and individual accomplishments. His most notable team trophy came with Rayo Vallecano Juvenil, where he won the Copa Federación Nacional Juvenil. At FAU, he captained the Owls to the C-USA finals for the first time in program history, while earning multiple All-Conference selections.
Toronto FC Highlights
Since joining Toronto FC permanently in 2023, Coello has become a regular contributor in midfield, logging 21 MLS appearances in his rookie season with 17 starts. His first MLS goal against Nashville SC on 19 June 2024 marked a personal milestone, and his January 2025 contract extension through 2027 reflects the club’s long-term confidence in his development.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his senior-team achievements, Coello’s standout performances include being named FAU’s first-ever C-USA First Team selection and earning Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2018. He also captained Toronto FC II in 2022, leading the team in minutes played during his first full professional season.
Alonso Coello Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Alonso Coello Camarero was raised in Madrid, Spain, where his early football journey began with Madrid Sur de Vallecas at age four. The family supported his progression through elite academies, including Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, which laid the foundation for his professional career.
Personal Life
Coello relocated to the United States in 2018 to attend Florida Atlantic University, where he studied economics while competing for the men’s soccer team. He later settled in the Greater Toronto Area after signing with Toronto FC, continuing to build his professional career in Major League Soccer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Major League Soccer season represents a defining chapter in Alonso Coello’s young career. After signing a three-year contract extension in January 2025 that runs through 2027, with an option for 2028, he has solidified his place in Toronto FC’s long-term plans. The club’s investment reflects both his steady on-field contributions and his leadership within the locker room.
Coming off an injury-interrupted 2024 campaign that included his first MLS goal against Nashville SC, Coello enters 2025 with a clear opportunity to establish himself as a consistent starter in central midfield. His combination of Spanish technical training, set-piece quality, and captaincy experience makes him a central figure in the team’s tactical setup.
For Toronto FC, the 2025 outlook hinges on integrating young homegrown talent alongside experienced international signings, and Coello is widely viewed as one of the pieces around whom the club’s midfield identity is being built. With the new deal in place and his role secured, the season offers a platform for him to translate his college and MLS Next Pro form into sustained top-flight production.
