Lorenzo Insigne, the firebrand Italian player, is moving to Toronto FC, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. He’s signed a four-year contract through 2026. He is slated to join as a Designated Player, in July, after his current contract with Napoli expires. 

Notably, he captains the Serie A side and has been playing for them for 10 years. Insigne also has the distinguishment of leading Italy to victory in the UEFA European Championship. 

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Bill Manning, the Toronto FC president, issued a press release, saying, “This is a historic and exciting day for our club. Lorenzo is a world-class attacking player in the prime of his career. He was a European champion with Italy and has performed on the biggest stages during his club career with Napoli. Lorenzo has the talent to change games. He plays the game with joy and passion, and our fans and supporters are going to love watching him as a member of our team.” 

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The deal will see Insigne get more than $15 million, before taxes, each season. The transformative bargain marks Toronto FC’s entry into a new era, guided by Bob Bradley, sporting director and head coach. 

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Insigne follows his fellow countryman Sebastian Giovinco’s footsteps by deciding to shift to Toronto FC. The latter moved to the club in 2015 from Juventus. He had a very successful run till 2019, amassing several team accolades including the 2015 MLS Landon Donovan MVP. 

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Greater expectations will be pinned on Insigne, who has 114 goals and 95 assists in his 416 Napoli appearances. Internationally, he has 10 goals and 53 caps. Insigne has regularly competed in high-stakes Europa and Champions League games. His last World Cup appearance was in Brazil, in 2014. 

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Bradley lauded Lorenzo’s transfer news, saying, “We are all looking forward to having Lorenzo join us this summer. 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.”