One of European soccer's most revered forwards has reportedly agreed to complete a shock move to the MLS for a $12 million salary
- Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne has reportedly agreed to complete a shock move to MLS side Toronto FC.
- The Italian, one of European soccer's best forwards, will reportedly join the club next summer.
Napoli captain and Italy international Lorenzo Insigne has agreed to complete a shocking move to Major League Soccer side Toronto FC, according to Michael Singh of the official MLS website.
Singh reports that the 30-year-old will join the Canadian outfit as a free agent next summer when his contract in Naples expires.
Insigne is widely regarded as one of Europe's top wingers. A Napoli legend, the Italian has scored 114 goals in 414 games for Gli Azzurri, helping it win two Coppa Italias and one Italian Super Cup.
He's also garnered 53 caps for Italy and was a key part of Roberto Mancini's side that lifted the Euro 2020 trophy during the summer.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports the deal will see Insigne earn a huge $12.4 million per season salary – over $7 million more than he currently earns at Napoli – plus up to an extra $5.1 million in add-ons linked to performance-related targets.
In order to complete the deal, however, Romano says Toronto will have to terminate the contract of striker Jozy Altidore, who earns an annual $3.6 million and is the club's second all-time top scorer.
Insigne wouldn't be the first big name Italian player to join Toronto should the proposed move go through.
In 2015, Sebastian Giovinco completed a shock move to Toronto from Juventus aged just 28. He went on to become the club's record goalscorer, hitting 83 goals in 142 games, helping the club lift the MLS Cup for the first time ever in 2017.
Despite his success across the Atlantic, however, Giovinco has warned Insigne about swapping Italy for America.
"I felt well at a human level, in a city where it's easy to live," Giovinco told Il Corriere dello Sport on Wednesday, per Football Italia, about his time with Toronto while discussing Insigne's proposed move.
"Professionally, you must consider that you may fall off the radar. I lost the national team and visibility. If you are open to leaving these things behind, then it's an experience that I suggest to everyone.
"Toronto is a wonderful city in a beautiful country. There is a big Italian community and the freedom to go everywhere you want without being disturbed.
"When I arrived in 2015, I was promised money that was not there, but I don't want to discuss these details. I have no regrets about my choice. I had more goals and assists than games. I did well even if it wasn't beneficial."
Napoli is currently third in the Serie A table, seven points behind leaders Inter Milan with exactly half of the season's matches having now been played.
Luciano Spalletti's side next takes on a struggling Juventus on January 6.