A wave of disappointment flooded the streets of Naples when it was announced that ace forward Lorenzo Insigne would be leaving the Partenopei for the ‘greener’ pastures in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis failed to match up the forward’s demands to stay at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a contract renewal offer. Subsequently, the EURO 2020 winner, whose contract expires at the end of the current season, made up his mind to move out of the club’s ranks where he has spent most of his entire professional career.
Lorenzo Insigne from Napoli to Toronto FC, here we go and confirmed! Deal fully agreed, Lorenzo has accepted Toronto bid and he’s joining as free agent in July. ??? #TorontoFC @SkySport
Deal to be signed within this week, as per @DiMarzio. Five-and-half year contract confirmed. pic.twitter.com/jUXbDouQF8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2022
Toronto FC were the first of the lot of convince him to move across the Atlantic – in a bumper deal that will see him earn a whopping €11.5m net per season plus another €4.5m per season in performance-related bonuses.
Italian outlet La Repubblica now claim to have video evidence of the fact that Insigne has already signed a deal with the Canadians, although he will be staying in Naples until the end of the current season.
The meeting reportedly took place in Rome – at the St.Regis Hotel, very close to the Termini Station. It was held in the presence of Insigne, his wife Jenny, agent Vincenzo Pisacane and intermediary Andrea D’Amico.
L'annuncio di @repubblica: Lorenzo #Insigne ha firmato nel tardo pomeriggio con #Toronto a Roma, in una stanza dell'hotel St. Regis. Il capitano del #Napoli era con sua moglie Jenny, l'agente Vincenzo Pisacane e l'intermediario Andrea D'Amico #MLS https://t.co/zAt6ISkGY9 pic.twitter.com/K0dsBCnxIK
— Claudio Russo (@claudioruss) January 4, 2022
Insigne will play in the MLS next season – from July 1 – after 11 seasons, with 414 appearances and 114 goals in the sky blue colours.