A NEW ERA FOR TORONTO FC BEGINS NOW

Soccer

Written by Aaron Cantin

Jermaine Defoe, Torsten Frings, Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and now, perhaps the best of all, Lorenzo Insigne.

Lorenzo Insigne, the stylish Italian creator who finally arrived over the weekend after signing a Designated Player pre-contract with TFC in January through June 2026, reaches another level entirely. As a reminder, Insigne was atop the footballing world less than a year ago, winning the European Championship with Italy.

Source (Background Photo): @Transfers Twitter

Insigne will not only command the highest salary in MLS history but smash the previous record by double or thereabouts. Toronto is not only luxuriously reinforcing their attack. They are driving home the point that they don’t merely rebuild; they reload, in a fashion that few MLS teams can match.

The Reds’ new superstar looked every bit the part on Monday, stepping in front of the cameras sporting a fresh cut, gleaming jewelry, and a dapper white blazer bearing his initials. An icon at SSC Napoli who hasn’t played for any other club save a few loan spells at the start of his first-team career over a decade ago, Insigne is leaving behind almost everything he and his family know to embrace this new North American adventure.

Toronto FC fans are hoping he will adapt to life quickly. He joins a side treading water in 11th place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings and 23rd of 28 in the overall table, with centre midfield leader Michael Bradley having blooded a host of young academy products in a trying first few months in charge. The Reds are not too far off the pace, but there’s work to do. Insigne will be eligible to debut on July 9th when Toronto hosts the San Jose Earthquakes. Along with Insigne, the reds have added some veteran depth to the backline in a way they never have before.

Earlier Wednesday the team announced the signing of former Italy international defender Domenico Criscito which is another bloody big deal. The 35-year-old has moved on from the Italian side of Genoa on a free transfer and joins the club through 2023 with Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

Criscito's versatility and leadership are no doubt key additions to the team. Criscito came up through both the Genoa and Juventus academies and made his Serie A debut for Juve in 2007. After a four-season return to Genoa, Criscito joined Russian Premier League side Zenit in 2011. In his seven seasons in Saint Petersburg, Criscito won a pair of RPL titles and a Russian Cup. He rejoined Genoa in 2018. Internationally, Criscito was capped 26 times by the Azzurri and appeared at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He also represented Italy at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Criscito had been expected to join TFC at the beginning of the season but chose to stay and help Genoa in its relegation fight.

With the additions of Insigne and Criscito, the goal is simple for Toronto FC. Make the playoffs and they will be considered one of the favourites to hoist the trophy yet again.