Toronto FC is getting Italian midfielder Sebastian Giovinco sooner than expected.
Juventus confirmed Monday that Giovinco’s tenure with the Serie A club has ended, allowing him to join TFC early. Giovinco is expected to arrive in Toronto later this week.
TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko told Sportsnet that no transfer fee was paid and no money exchanged hands. Giovinco and his agent negotiated his early release from Juventus, said Bezbatchenko. He also confirmed that Toronto FC will start paying Giovinco his salary starting now, as opposed to July when the Italian was originally slated to join TFC.
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Giovinco’s last appearance for Juventus came in a 6-1 win over Hellas Verona in the Coppa Italia on Jan. 15.
“Everyone associated with Juventus Football Club would like to thank Seba for all his efforts and wish him every success for his new adventure in Canada,” read a statement on Juventus’ official website.
Bezbatchenko announced the signing of Giovinco on Jan. 19. He said at the time the Italian international wouldn’t be able to come to Major League Soccer until July once his current Juventus contract expired.
But an MLSE source confirmed to Sportsnet last week that Toronto had come to an agreement with Juventus that would allow Govinco to join TFC in time for the start of the 2015 MLS season.
Giovinco and his agent had been in talks with Juventus in recent weeks about terminating his contract.
It appears the bianconeri granted Giovinco’s wish after they confirmed Monday that they signed Alessandro Matri on loan. Matri spent two and a half seasons with Juventus before being sold to AC Milan in 2013. Matri has been on loan at Genoa this season.
TFC opened their training camp last week in Toronto. On Sunday, the team travelled to Florida where it will continue pre-season camp for another week.
TFC begins the regular season on March 7, away to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Giovinco’s early arrival is great news for a Toronto side that failed to make the playoffs last year for an eighth straight season.
Instead of waiting until the midway point of the 2015 campaign, Toronto will able to rely on the services of the talented Italian playmaker right from the start.
The Reds can use all the extra help they can get, as they‘ll play the first seven matches of the 2015 MLS season on the road while construction on the expansion of BMO Field continues.
“Having Sebastian join us in time for training camp is incredibly important for our team and our plans this year. Sebastian is a world-class player who makes all of his teammates better and his arrival is a monumental moment for Major League Soccer and Toronto,” Bezbatchenko said.
“That speaks volumes about his commitment to this team, the leadership he brings, and the fact that he is fully behind our vision for the long term.”
