Lorenzo Insigne will be heading to Toronto after his deal with Napoli runs out on 30 Jun. The Canadian club confirmed Insigne as their player on Saturday.
Toronto won’t pay the $13 million Napoli were asking to release their captain right away. The club will instead wait until next summer to have their new star man in the MLS. Insigne penned a four-year deal, with Toronto having the option to extend the contract for an additional six months through the end of the 2026 season. The 30-year-old will earn around $15 million per year before taxes, including his wage and bonuses.
The paycheck Toronto agreed with Insigne will make him the highest-paid player in MLS history.
Insigne contributed with four goals and four assists to Napoli’s stats this season. Over the last campaign, he netted 19 times. In July, Insigne won Euro 2020 with Italy after a dramatic final at Wembley, against England. At the international level, the diminutive forward scored 10 goals in 53 caps.
Toronto FC is eyeing a revolution in 2022, after finishing second from bottom in the Eastern Conference last year They only won six of their 34 games, winning 28 points following a 6-18-10 record. Only FC Cincinnati did worse. The 2021 season was Toronto’s worst since 2012.
2ï¸âƒ£4ï¸âƒ£ | Coming to a lakeshore near you 🔜@Lor_Insigne | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/8UKnld0sHz
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) January 8, 2022
“We are all looking forward to having Lorenzo join us this summer,” Toronto FC head coach and sporting director Bod Bradley said in a club statement. “His ability to create chances for himself and his teammates is special. Having watched him for many years, I also know he’s also a player who works for the team. Lorenzo is the kind of player you come to watch because there’s always a chance he’ll do something unforgettable,” Bradley added.
Bod Bradley is a three-time MLS Coach of the Year and took over in Nov., following the departure of the former general manager Ali Curtis.
Toronto are not among the bookies’ favorites to win the MLS Cup in 2022
Early MLS Cup 2022 odds have LAFC, Seattle and New England as joint favorites to celebrate at the end of the year. Defending champions NYCFC are at +1000 to retain their title, while Sporting KC stand at +1,200. Atlanta, Colorado, LA Galaxy and Philadelphia follow at +1,600. Houston and Cincinnati are last on the list at +10,000 both. Toronto sit at +2,500 together with Minnesota, Nashville, Orlando and Portland.
