Arrivederci. Toronto FC buys out hefty contracts of Italy's Insigne, Bernardeschi
TORONTO — Toronto FC is parting ways with Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, ending an expensive and unsuccessful partnership.
The struggling Major League Soccer club said their contracts had been mutually terminated, with TFC using its two permitted buyouts of their guaranteed deals.
'After several meaningful discussions, we are happy to have found a solution that is agreeable to all parties involved,' Toronto GM Jason Hernandez said in a brief statement Tuesday.
The two Italian designated players arrived to much fanfare — with paycheques to match — midway through the 2022 season. But they could not return the club to its former glory.
Insigne, 34, was making US$15.4 million this season, second only to Lionel Messi's US$20.5 million. Bernardeschi, 31, was earning US$6.295 million this season, sixth-best in MLS.
Insigne's contract ran through June 2026 with an option for the remainder of the year, while Bernardeschi's deal covered 2026 with option years through 2028.
It was not money well spent.
Toronto (4-10-5) currently sits 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, four places and 11 points below the playoff line, and 26th overall in the 30-team league. It has not made the playoffs since 2020, when it stumbled at the first hurdle.
Their departure means Toronto is without a designated player, with two such spots available.
Under MLS roster rules, a designated player aged at least 24 only carries a salary budget charge of US$743,750, no matter how much they are paid.
'The designated player strategy is a critical component to Toronto FC's success in Major League Soccer and the club will continue to prioritize TFC's short-, medium- and long-term strategy in the weeks ahead,' said MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley.
Insigne scored 19 goals and added 18 assists in 76 games for Toronto across all competitions. That includes one goal and three assists in 12 appearances this season.
Bernardeschi scored 26 goals and added 22 assists in 99 appearances across all competitions. An all-star in 2024, he has four goals and four assists through 15 matches this season.
Bernardeschi offered a parting message via social media.
'Every single day on the pitch, I gave everything I had. All my passion. All my drive. All of myself. I never held back,' he wrote. 'I gave everything for this shirt, for this city, for its fans.'
'Now a new journey begins for me,' he added. 'A new chapter, a new challenge. But the bond with this city, with its people, will forever live in my heart. Toronto FC, MLS: thank you for this extraordinary adventure. This is not goodbye. It's see you soon.'
Bernardeschi has been linked to a move to Italy's Bologna.
Insigne sat out the last two TFC games. He did not make it off the bench in a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls and did not dress for Saturday's 3-0 win over Portland.
At the time, Toronto coach Robin Fraser said the club wanted to give other players a chance.
Toronto sat Insigne for the first four games of this season after failed attempts to move him to clubs in Italy, Spain, Turkey and Brazil. Insigne kept training with the first team while out of favour.
'It wasn't a happy time for me,' he told The Canadian Press in May. 'But I'm not going to keep thinking about it.'
'I've always been happy here, and as long as my contract lasts, I'm going to do the best I can to make us win,' he added.
The club eventually returned him to action, but with one goal and three assists in 12 league outings, he did not make much of an impact.
Bernardeschi has not played since May 24 when he picked up a fifth yellow card that earned him a one-game suspension. He missed the last three games with what Fraser described as a 'lingering' injury.
At his best, the flamboyant Bernardeschi was a sight to behold, marauding down the wing and heading towards goal, looking to unleash his dangerous left boot. But with 26 yellow and four red cards in 88 league appearances, he was also volatile and somewhat unreliable.
Insigne showed only flashes of past brilliance that earned him the nickname 'Il Magnifico.' Injuries and family health issues did not help.
Unlike Bernardeschi, who was able to converse in English, Insigne's limited language skills meant his side of the story was rarely heard.
In May, however, he said he was going to finish out his contract.
'With the money I earn, I could just sit down, I could have said, 'Who cares? I make a lot of money. I don't have to do anything,'' Insigne said in an interview with The Canadian Press. 'But that's not who I am. I'm going to always, every day, come and work hard. And as long as my contract's here, that is my goal at the end — I'm here to work hard and respect everybody.'
Hopes were high when the two made their debut in July 2022, when Bernardeschi scored one goal and set up another and Insigne collected a stylish assist in a 4-0 romp over expansion Charlotte FC.
The Italians' debut drew an announced sellout of 29,067, well above the average of 23,676 over the previous 11 home matches that season. Compare that to the 14,019 that Toronto drew this season for a 1-0 home loss to FC Cincinnati on May 14.
The two Italians reportedly bumped heads with former coach Bob Bradley. John Herdman, who succeeded Bradley. converted Bernardeschi to wingback with Fraser returning him to his more accustomed winger position.
Bernardeschi arrived with a Grade-A resume.
'We are thrilled to add Federico to our team,' said Bill Manning, TFC's president at the time. 'As a player and a person, we believe he's exactly what we need right now, both on the field and in the locker room. Federico has proven himself to be a champion and a leader at Juventus and for the Italian national team and brings a pedigree to Toronto that's second to none.'
Manning, fired by Pelley in July as president of TFC and the Toronto Argonauts, famously said he settled on insigne after seeing the local interest in Italy's run to the European championship.
'I actually went to the Transfermarkt website and I looked up the Italian national team on what players were coming out of contract,' Manning told reporters. 'And Lorenzo was one of the few players that was coming out of contract. I started writing down players that I thought were world-class, that I thought would have commercial value in this market.'
Insigne arrived from Napoli, where he captained the side. He made a combined 416 appearances for the Serie A club, scoring 114 goals with 95 assists across all competitions.
He scored 10 goals in 53 appearances for Italy. But he never seemed to find a fit with Toronto.
Bernardeschi arrived from Juventus, where he had spent five seasons after joining from Fiorentina. He scored six goals in 38 appearances for the Italian national team, including the winning penalty in the shootout to seal Italy's win over England in the 2020 UEFA European Championship final (played in 2021).
---
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Boost in patriotism on display at Canada Day events
Canada Day in the nation's capital came with a bit of an edge this year. Many wore T-shirts emblazoned with slogans such as 'Canada is Not For Sale,' 'Elbows Up,' and 'Never 51″ – a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's frequent musings about Canada becoming his country's 51st state. That rhetoric, and Mr. Trump's imposition of a series of tariffs on Canadian goods, is what prompted Jim Kamp to fly from Victoria to take in Canada Day in Ottawa for the first time. 'I was really inspired because of what's been going on for the past four or five months,' said Mr. Kamp, who was wearing a red shirt that said, 'Never 51, Canada Stays Free.' 'I don't think I was really a very strong patriotic Canadian until now. I think this is definitely a turning point for a lot of Canadians,' he said. That boost in patriotism has been reflected in Canadians' shopping and travel habits this year. While Buy Canadian bump fades for many businesses, it's going strong among some industries Will life ever go back to normal for Canadian snowbirds in Florida? Return trips by automobile from the U.S. in May declined by 38 per cent on a year-over-year basis, Statistics Canada reported last week. The afternoon speeches and performances in Ottawa included Mark Carney's first Canada Day appearance since he won the federal election campaign in April, one that drew heavily on patriotic themes. 'We find ourselves in a situation where our economy is being attacked by a trade war that we didn't start. We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms, attacks that we must resist. And once again, as the world becomes more divided and dangerous, Canadians are uniting,' he said. He then referenced his government's recent legislation to fast track large projects, saying it will allow Canada to do things 'we previously thought impossible at speeds not seen for generations.' During the recent election campaign, Mr. Carney seized on the 'elbows up' mantra, saying he was the best person to stand up to President Trump. That pledge is currently being put to the test as Mr. Carney attempts to lead negotiations toward a new trade deal with the U.S. by July 21. On the eve of Canada Day, Mr. Trump's chief spokesperson Karoline Leavitt boasted that Mr. Carney 'caved' over the weekend, dropping Canada's digital services tax after the President demanded the move as a condition for continuing the negotiations. Happy Canada Day, from Donald Trump Pete Hoeskstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, released a statement Tuesday wishing all Canadians a happy Canada Day. 'Today we remain committed to advancing our shared goals – from strengthening continental defence through NORAD to combatting the deadly threat of fentanyl to our citizens. We also continue to co-operate on important issues affecting this hemisphere and the world,' he said. In Ottawa's Byward Market, Le Moulin de Provence bakery has a section where it usually sells 'Obama cookies,' marking the time when former U.S. President Barack Obama stopped in during a 2009 visit, a much warmer time in Canada-U.S. relations. On Tuesday, the Obama cookies display was full of red and white Canadian flag cookies instead. In addition to Mr. Carney's speech, the noon Canada Day event in Ottawa featured music performances by Amanda Marshall, Garou and Thompson Egbo-Egbo, as well as speeches by Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Governor General Mary Simon. The evening event's schedule featured a longer list of music artists, including Sarah McLachlan, Coeur de Pirate, Josh Ross, Tom Cochrane, Mitsou, Roch Voisine, Randy Bachman and Talk, followed by fireworks. In Toronto, Canadian forces members helped unfurl a massive Canadian flag on the field before an afternoon Canada Day Toronto Blue Jays home game. Chief of Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Over at Queen's Park and outside Toronto's City Hall, flags flew high as thousands of people celebrated a sunny Canada Day. All dressed in red T-shirts, the Kenney family relaxed at a park bench in a shaded corner of Nathan Phillips Square. Motivated by Canada's recent wave of patriotism, Ben Kenney wanted his family of four to participate in Canada Day celebrations instead of staying at home. 'I've never celebrated Canada Day in Toronto before,' Mr. Kenney said, who has lived in the city for the past decade. Mother-daughter duo Pat McDermid and Heather Wilson also said they feel this Canada Day is markedly different from previous years. 'The whole country has kind of metaphorically stood up and been like, 'We don't need the States, we stand on our own, we can do this,'' Ms. Wilson said. Shyr Alenandro and Boots Carag, who immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, said they are proud Canada is their second home. Dancing in the square donning red-and-white sunglasses, they said they're thankful to be Canadian. The two always celebrate Canada Day but tensions with the United States make this year more significant. 'We are so blessed and grateful for the kindness of Canada,' Ms. Alenandro said. A recently released survey by the Environics Institute found a modest increase in the strength of the Canadian identity. The survey asked respondents how attached they feel to Canada. Almost nine in 10 said they were either very attached (57 per cent) or somewhat attached (30 per cent) to Canada. That is up from responses last year, when 51 per cent said they were very attached and 34 per cent said they were somewhat attached. Andrew Parkin, the Environics Institute's executive director, said Canadian patriotism is clearly on the rise. 'The pressure from the U.S. is making us less reserved and a bit more vocal in our attachment to Canada, but it didn't make us a completely different country,' he said in an interview. Our elbows may be up, but have Canadians really changed? The survey of 5,391 adults was conducted between May 1 and June 16, 2025. As is the case with all online surveys, there is no margin of error as the sample, while representative, is not drawn strictly at random. Recent months have seen increased attention on a potential referendum on Alberta independence, while the separatist Parti Québécois is leading public opinion surveys in that province. However, the Environics survey suggests neither of those developments are driven by declining Canadian patriotism. In fact, the survey found that attachment to Canada has strengthened in both provinces. 'It's important not to mistake whatever frustration there is in Alberta as somehow a sort of rejection of being Canadian, because that's just not there,' he said.
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Calgary Flames sign depth defenceman to two-way contract
While you may not recognize this name, the Calgary Flames have been tracking Nick Cicek for a long while, all the way back to his stint as a captain in the Western Hockey League. Article content On Tuesday, the Flames welcomed Cicek into the fold, signing the free-agent defenceman to a two-way contract for the upcoming campaign. Article content Article content 'He's always been a player that we've been intrigued with,' said Flames assistant general manager Brad Pascall, who also oversees the Wranglers' roster. 'With his age, with his size, with his skating ability, with the defending ability, he's a player that we've liked and we think he has really matured his game overall. He's a player that we identified and said, 'Hey, let's take a shot at him with our organization.' We think he'll fit in well and we'll give him every opportunity to open the eyes of our NHL coaches. Article content 'That's his goal — to come in and open eyes. And if he ends up in the American League, we think he can be a really solid player, with size, that would work well with our young players, as well.' Article content Cicek, who hails from Winnipeg and still spends his summers in Friendly Manitoba, had three goals and 17 points in 50 appearances in his lone season with Adler Mannheim. Article content His resume is highlighted by a 16-game stint with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23. He was credited with four assists, 28 hits and 21 blocked shots, although he was a minus-7. He also scrapped with Mark Kastelic, then of the Ottawa Senators. Article content 'He does play hard,' Pascall said of this new addition. 'He's a big, long, strong defender who skates well, but he also finishes his hits. He's not afraid to play with some grit to his game.'
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Are Flames and Rasmus Andersson heading for a messy break-up? Five burning questions
Rasmus Andersson is now officially in the final year of his contract with the Calgary Flames. Article content It seems inevitable that the 28-year-old Andersson will be traded away. The biggest question now — beyond the when and maybe the where — is how messy the break-up will be. Article content The Flames fan base is fuming after the insiders reported there were some compelling trade offers for Andersson during draft weekend, but that those would-be suitors were scared off because the righty rearguard wasn't interested in signing long-term in their city. Article content Article content If you scan social media, it's easy to find accusations that Andersson is about to 'pull a Hanifin.' (For those who don't understand the reference, more on that in a moment.) Article content 'Here's the thing that is making that situation complicated … ' said Pierre LeBrun on TSN's Insider Trading. 'Rasmus Andersson only wants to sign an extension, it's our understanding, with the Vegas Golden Knights.' Article content If true, that leaves Flames general manager Craig Conroy in quite a pickle. Article content Asked Tuesday if he has received any indication from Andersson, who can list just six teams in his no-trade clause, that he is only willing to go to one destination, Conroy stickhandled smoothly. Article content 'Right now, he's totally fine with playing for the Calgary Flames,' Conroy replied. 'That was the last conversation. And he's always said that, he's a Calgary Flame. When he comes back in September, he'll say the same thing to you guys — 'I love it here, I'm a Calgary Flame.' Article content 'It's all the speculation … And hey, everybody has a job, everybody has to do it, but until something is done, nothing is done. You have seen guys (Tuesday) that maybe you think weren't going to re-sign with their team and they did re-sign with their team. It happens.' Article content Article content Back in September, you say? Article content As we wait for the next twist or turn, here are five burning questions on what will remain the biggest storyline around the Flames … Article content As Conroy was unloading a handful of pending free agents during the 2023-24 campaign, his first as general manager of the Flames, there was optimism that his most valuable trade chip would be Noah Hanifin, an in-his-prime defenceman with elite skating ability. Article content Why's that? Article content In the lead-up to the trade deadline, word circulated that Hanifin was only willing to talk contract with a very short list of teams. Many believed that it was Tampa or bust, although he was apparently also open to joining his close pal Jack Eichel in Sin City. Article content Backed into a corner, Conroy had to settle for an underwhelming offer from the Golden Knights. While the Flames did receive a first-round pick, to be cashed next summer, the only roster addition was Daniil Miromanov. He has not made much of an impact at the Saddledome and may not even have a regular role next winter.
