Federico Bernardeschi signs a deal with Toronto FC which makes him the third high-profile player to join the MLS league this summer.
Federico Bernardeschi, who will relocate to Canada from Juventus on a free transfer, officially joined Toronto FC on Friday, July 15, according to a team announcement.
Bernardeschi is signed as a designated player and has a deal that runs through 2026.
Bernardeschi joins Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Criscito as the third Italian to sign with TFC in 2022. The winger will reportedly earn around €5 million net each season, filling one of Toronto FC’s two open Designated Player positions.
Blockbuster deals have already been made in the transfer window, with Lorenzo Insigne moving to Toronto and Gareth Bale joining Giorgio Chiellini at LAFC.
After five years of shining for the Serie A giants, Chiellini’s longtime Juve teammate is now also moving to the United States.
“Toronto FC announced today that the club has signed Italian international winger Federico Bernardeschi as a Designated Player through 2026,” the Canadians signaled on their official website.
“Bernardeschi will be added to the TFC roster pending his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and work permit. As per team and Major League Soccer policy, the terms of the contract are confidential.”
After meeting Federico a few weeks ago, club coach and sporting director Bob Bradley added: “We think he’s a terrific fit for what we’re trying to develop here at TFC and look forward to getting him on the field.
“He’s an attacking player who is also known for working hard for the team. Federico’s a left-footed player who’s comfortable playing on the right wing but can also slide into a central position when needed.”
Before securing a transfer to Juve in 2017, Bernardeschi started his professional career with Fiorentina and shone with the Viola as a young player.
The midfielder spent five seasons with the Old Lady, making 183 games across all leagues, scoring 12 goals, and won three straight Serie A championships between 2017 and 2020.
Toronto FC can be summed up in one word – ambitious.
The Canadian team has pulled off another incredible feat by combining Bernardeshi and Insigne.
Since the club signed two members of Italy’s Euro 2020-winning team this summer, it is entirely deserving of praise for continuing to push the edge.
However, it’s not simply about what they do; it’s also how they do it. TFC made this move by severing connections with one DP, Carlos Salcedo, for no reason just a few months after acquiring him in a trade for high-profile newcomer Yefferson Soteldo.
They also recently sold Alejandro Pozuelo, a former MLS MVP, to Inter Miami for a pitiful sum to free up the flexibility needed to execute deals of this kind.
Toronto is not simply aspirational; they are also eager to spend money in order to spend more money. If necessary, they’ll accept a defeat as long as it prepares them to advance significantly in the future.
Once more, this deal represents a significant advance and a victory for TFC and MLS. There is no knowing how high the bar can go since teams like Toronto FC and Los Angeles FC are constantly setting new standards for the rest of Major League Soccer.
