This one comes as a bit of a surprise.

Despite playing a prominent part in preseason for Toronto FC, the club announced this evening that Clement Simonin has been released following the conclusion of his period on trial.

Clement Simonin has been released from his trial with Toronto FC — Toronto FC PR (@TorontoFCPR) February 28, 2017

Simonin seemed in line for a contract with the Reds as another left-footed option in their back three, and spoke enthusiastically during the trip to Florida of how he felt well-suited to the system.

It even appeared possible that he could be involved in the season opener against Real Salt Lake, given that he had played more in preseason than Brandon Aubrey and Chris Mavinga, who has returned temporarily to France for the birth of his child.

His performances in friendly games and training were apparently not enough, however, to convince Greg Vanney and the management team to bring the former first-round pick back for the 2017 season.

Simonin endured an injury-hit 2016 campaign and failed to make an MLS appearance, turning out eight times during the year for TFC II in the USL. He is the second of TFC’s three first-round picks from 2015 to be released this offseason following Skylar Thomas’ departure, with Alex Bono still on the first-team roster.