(Football news) Federico Bernardeschi is set to become the fourth big name Italian international to join Major League Soccer and subsequently the third at Toronto FC. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Bernardeschi took some time to make his decisions and has now decided to accept the contract offered from Toronto. He was a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired on June 30. Bernardeschi who is 28 years old is a versatile player who can play in a variety of roles in midfield and attack, although this has often been a problem for him as he never got consistent playing time in any one position.
The former Fiorentina star has six goals in 39 senior caps for Italy while at Juventus, he went on to score 12 goals and 24 assists in 183 appearances. Toronto FC are building quite an Italian team and their most famous player Sebastian Giovinco was instrumental in giving the club a new lease of life. Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Criscito have already signed as free agents and Bernardeschi is now due to follow as they hope to replicate what Giovinco did for Toronto FC. With this transfer it will make four Italians in MLS for this season, as Giorgio Chiellini has moved to LAFC for free.
The 35-year-old former Genoa and Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Dominco Criscito who also has 26 caps for Italy, also arrives as part of a new Italian influx at Canada’s most successful MLS side. These two signings, plus the deal to bring in Federico Bernardeschi, will see the football club reconnect with its city’s deep Italian roots. It’s a connection that could help Toronto FC relieve its most successful period when Italian star Sebastian Giovinco attained legendary status at the club. In Toronto there are Italian workers arriving to ply their trade in Toronto so nothing is new. The city has seen steady immigration from Italy since the 1870s, hence settling in at the club for these Italians became easy.
The former Juventus man was one of the best players of the club as the diminutive attacker won numerous awards at Toronto in 2015, including MLS MVP, the Golden Boot, and Newcomer of the Year. In 2017 he helped the team win its first and to date only MLS Cup. The likes of Insigne and Bernardeschi will hope to emulate Giovinco’s success at the club. This season, Toronto haven’t been at their best as they are currently in 13th place in the Eastern Conference of the table. The fans will hope that with these signings they can hope to qualify for the MLS playoffs and maybe in the future challenge for the MLS Cup.
TFC president Bill Manning says “the club’s attraction for Insigne and his representatives. This move for his family was just as important as soccer, and that’s what really helps Toronto. When we recruit players in this market, our city and where we live is a big part of it.”
Speaking with Manning during a meeting, Insigne said: “It feels like Napoli, and that makes me feel at home.”
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