Jamaican teenage ahead Jahmarie Nolan appears to be like to show heads at Toronto FC

Teenage ahead Jahmarie Nolan opened his Toronto FC II scoring account on May 9, discovering a seam within the Chattanooga FC defence and leaving ‘keeper Eldin Jakupović rooted to the spot with a well-placed low shot within the nook of the objective.

With the Toronto reserve aspect nonetheless trailing 2-1 after the 88th-minute objective, there was once no time for party. Nolan simply grabbed the ball out of the objective and raced again to centre box to begin the sport once more.

The 15-year-old Jamaican adolescence global has been at the transfer for some time now.

Nolan was once simply 14 when he made his debut within the Jamaica Premier League for Mount Pleasant FA on Oct. 7, 2024, and scored his first objective in opposition to Vere United on Jan. 30. Nolan, who was once 9 or 10 when he joined Mount Pleasant, scored one objective and added two assists in 11 appearances throughout the 2024-2025 season.

He signed with TFC 2 on March 24, changing into the youngest participant in membership historical past to signal an MLS Next Pro contract. Nolan made his debut April 25, coming off the bench within the 61st minute in opposition to Chicago Fire II.

The recommendation from TFC 2 trainer Gianni Cimini was once easy.

“He said to just enjoy and play free,” Nolan recalled. “I was a little bit nervous because I hadn’t played overseas in a while, but when I got the first touch on the ball, everything just disappeared. I started to play freely.”

Nolan has one objective in six appearances, together with 3 begins, up to now.

“The footballing here is quite different than back in Jamaica,” the soft-spoken teenager stated in his lilting island accessory. “In Jamaica, it’s more physical. Here it’s more technique. A higher standard here, definitely.”

Toronto FC trainer Robin Fraser, who was once additionally born in Jamaica, welcomed the five-foot-10, 160-pounder and his circle of relatives to the membership.

“It was nice to have a young man come straight from the island,” stated Fraser, who stated having some preliminary issues about one of these younger signing from in another country.

“This is a whole different level of professionalism, I would think, than he’s used to … But he seems to be settling in really really well.”

“Certainly at his age and his build, he’s somebody that is really interesting to us,” he added.

Nolan has loved his time with the membership thus far, even though unseasonably cool climate has been a surprise to the machine.

He has circle of relatives right here, within the type of his mom, brother, two uncles and various cousins. Plus, he lives in an rental advanced that homes a number of of his TFC 2 teammates.

Nolan has represented Jamaica at more than one adolescence ranges, scoring 3 objectives in CONCACAF U-17 qualifying play in February in Guatemala.

“From there, my agent told me TFC was interested,” he stated. “And I was like, ‘Why not come and get the experience here?'”

Toronto was once satisfied to get him.

“We definitely see a high ceiling for him,” stated Toronto technical director Sean Rubio. “We’ve been pretty open that we see him slotting in amongst our highest level of prospects, so to speak.”

A former midfielder, Nolan has moved up entrance with Jamaica and Toronto, frequently within the function of a false No. 9 — a task he likes because it provides him the liberty to search out house within the defence.

Growing up, he favored gazing Manchester City megastar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.

“I have a good scoring mentality. I like to go forward,” he stated when requested what sort of participant he’s. “I’m very passionate about (football)”

When no longer coaching or taking part in, Nolan continues his research on-line. The Grade 10 scholar says college and football have saved him busy, and he has but to discover town round him.

Nolan has his eye on any other transfer someday.

“(Toronto) is just the first step for me,” he stated. “I want to be in Europe (in) the next two years. I’m trying to modify my game day by day, score goals, get assists, and just try to get to the big stage.”