Kobe Franklin Bio
Kobe Lloyd Franklin (born May 10, 2003) is a Canadian professional 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 clubs before progressing through the Toronto FC Academy and the club’s developmental sides. He made his senior debut in 2018 and has since moved between Toronto FC II, Toronto FC III, and the first team, building a reputation as a reliable homegrown defender with a strong record of firsts for his age group.
Early Life and Background
Kobe Lloyd Franklin was born on May 10, 2003, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a family that encouraged sport from a young age, and he began playing soccer at age four with Beach Community Soccer, a local community club in his neighborhood. He soon moved to Power Soccer Academy, where he refined his early technical skills and developed a clear interest in competitive play.
When Franklin was nine years old, his family relocated to Chicago, a move that opened a new chapter in his development. In Chicago, he joined Evanston SC before quickly catching the attention of scouts at Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire, where he entered the club’s youth setup. After several years in the United States, Franklin returned to Toronto and joined the Toronto FC Academy in February 2017.
During his time in Toronto, Franklin attended St. Denis Catholic School and Neil McNeil Catholic High School, balancing his academic responsibilities with a demanding youth soccer schedule. His pathway from a Toronto community pitch to professional academies on both sides of the border helped shape his grounded approach to the game and prepared him for the rigors of full-time professional football.
Path to Soccer
Franklin’s youth progression followed a clear ladder. After starting with Beach Community Soccer and Power Soccer Academy, he played for Evanston SC and the Chicago Fire FC youth system between 2012 and 2016, where he built the technical foundation expected of academy prospects. His move to the Toronto FC Academy in 2017 gave him access to one of Canada’s leading development environments and put him on a direct path toward a professional contract.
Within the Toronto FC system, Franklin continued to impress at age-group levels, captaining sides and contributing in attack from the back. His performances with the academy earned him a call-up to the Canada U17 team for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, signaling that he was tracking toward a senior opportunity. By the time he signed his first professional deal in 2021, he had already become one of the most talked-about young defenders in the Toronto FC pipeline.
Kobe Franklin Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Franklin made his senior debut for Toronto FC III on August 19, 2018, in League1 Ontario against Ottawa South United. Coming on as a substitute, he scored a 94th-minute goal to become the youngest-ever goal scorer in League1 Ontario history at 15 years and three months old, an early sign of his composure in front of goal.
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 on May 22, 2021, against North Texas SC and scored his first professional goal on August 18 against Forward Madison. He capped his debut season by being named a USL League One First Team All-Star and finishing as a finalist for both the Young Player of the Year and Defender of the Year awards.
Toronto FC Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Franklin joined the Toronto FC first team on a short-term four-day loan on April 1, 2022, and signed additional four-day loans on April 23, May 4, and May 7. He made his Major League Soccer debut on May 4, 2022, entering as a second-half substitute against FC Cincinnati. The brief spells with the senior side gave him his first taste of MLS minutes and confirmed his readiness for a longer contract.
In February 2023, Franklin signed a two-year homegrown player contract with Toronto FC, with two option years attached. After a run of substitute appearances, he earned his first MLS start on April 29, 2023, against New York City FC, marking another important step in his development. He continued to feature regularly for the senior side through the 2023 campaign, establishing himself as a dependable squad option at left back and across the back line.
Toronto FC Era (2022–Present)
Franklin’s tenure with the first team has been defined by a series of milestone moments. On August 4, 2024, he scored his first goal for the club, netting the winner in a 2-1 victory over Mexican side Pachuca in the 2024 Leagues Cup, a result that underlined his growth into a contributor on big nights. He has continued to feature in defense and on the left flank for Toronto FC, with additional minutes coming through loan spells to Toronto FC II in 2025.
On April 18, 2026, Franklin scored his first MLS goal, finding the net for the game-tying strike in a 3-3 draw with Austin FC, a moment that highlighted his growing influence in the final third. Operating primarily as a defender, he has balanced defensive duties with regular attacking contributions, including overlaps, crosses, and well-timed runs into the box.
Driving Style and Strengths
Franklin is a left-footed defender who reads the game with composure and is comfortable stepping into midfield to start attacks. He combines a calm passing range with the willingness to overlap his winger, and he has shown a knack for arriving late in the box to finish chances, as demonstrated by his goals against Pachuca and Austin FC. Coaches have praised his professionalism and his ability to adapt to different tactical setups across the back line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Franklin’s career is studded with record-setting firsts. He became the youngest goal scorer in League1 Ontario history in 2018, represented Canada at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and was named a USL League One First Team All-Star in his first professional season. He has since added a Leagues Cup winning goal against Pachuca and his first MLS goal against Austin FC to a growing list of memorable performances.
Kobe Franklin Career Wins
Kobe Franklin’s win ledger is still in its early chapters, but his results across League1 Ontario, USL League One, and Major League Soccer reflect a player who has contributed to victories at every level. His match-winning goal against Pachuca in the 2024 Leagues Cup stands as his most celebrated senior result to date, while his All-Star selection in 2021 highlighted his impact in his first professional season.
Toronto FC Highlights
Franklin’s senior club career began with Toronto FC III in 2018, where his late goal against Ottawa South United set a League1 Ontario record. He progressed to Toronto FC II in 2021, finishing the season as a First Team All-Star and a finalist for two major individual awards. With the senior team, he has recorded his first MLS start, his first Leagues Cup goal against Pachuca, and his first MLS goal against Austin FC.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his club work, Franklin has represented Canada at youth international level, appearing for the Canada U17 team at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup and being named to the Canadian U-20 squad for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. These appearances underline his standing within the Canadian player pool and his continued progression toward a potential senior international opportunity.
Kobe Franklin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Franklin grew up in a supportive family in Toronto that nurtured his early interest in soccer and backed his move to the United States as a child. The relocation to Chicago during his youth was a formative experience, allowing him to train with high-level academies before returning to Toronto to continue his development with Toronto FC.
Personal Life
Franklin maintains close ties to Toronto, the city where he was born and continues to play his professional soccer. He is known for a quiet, focused approach away from the pitch, and he has spoken about the importance of representing his hometown club. Further details about his personal life are not publicly confirmed at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Franklin’s 2025 campaign has been split between the Toronto FC first team and a loan spell with Toronto FC II, allowing him to accumulate regular minutes at both MLS and USL League One levels. His experience with the senior side has continued to grow, with the defender featuring in defensive rotations and contributing in wide areas when called upon.
Across the season, Franklin has built on the momentum of his 2024 Leagues Cup winner, using his appearances to refine his understanding with the first team’s coaching staff and defensive partners. His loan to Toronto FC II has provided additional playing time, helping him maintain sharpness and continue his development as a modern attacking full back. The balance between the two roles has been central to his 2025 storyline.
Looking ahead, Franklin is expected to remain an important depth piece for Toronto FC, with the club’s homegrown contract running through 2025 and option years beyond. Continued strong showings in both league play and cup competitions could see him push for a more prominent starting role, while his early 2026 MLS goal against Austin FC suggests his attacking output is trending in the right direction.
