Toronto FC Designated Player Sebastian Giovinco is a free man.
Juventus announced on Monday that the 27-year-old Italian international has officially ended his stint in Turin, paving the way for him to join TFC for preseason camp. Giovinco, who signed with Toronto on Jan. 19, was initially scheduled to join the Reds in July after the conclusion of the Serie A campaign.
"Having Sebastian join us in time for training camp is incredibly important for our team and our plans this year," TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a club statement issued Monday afternoon. "Because he was so driven to join his new team now, Seba and his agent took it upon themselves and went to great lengths to negotiate his release from Juventus. 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.
"We are grateful to Juventus and his agent Andrea D'Amico for working to allow Seba to pursue his Toronto FC and MLS dream now," Bezbatchenko continued. "We are also grateful for the extraordinary commitment demonstrated by the MLSE ownership. It is a huge credit to them, as well as Tim Leiweke, that their only focus this off season was on delivering a winner to TFC fans and the team is excited to begin working towards delivering on that goal on the pitch this week."
Known as La Formica Atomica (The Atomic Ant), the 5-foot-4 Giovinco has 40 goals during his Serie A career. The longtime Juventus man’s best season came in 2011-12, when he recorded 15 goals and 11 assists while on loan at Parma.
The attacking midfielder struggled for playing time this year, falling down the depth chart in Turin and failing to register a goal in six league appearances – though he did have a brace in his single Coppa Italia run-out.
Giovinco, who reportedly drew interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool before signing with TFC, has 21 career appearances for the Italian national team, playing for the Azzuri in their runner-up finish at Euro 2012 and at the 2013 Confederations Cup.
