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Federico Bernardeschi set to join Toronto FC

By Angelo Zarra

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Federico Bernardeschi of Italy celebrates with The Henri Delaunay Trophy following his team's victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Federico Bernardeschi of Italy celebrates with The Henri Delaunay Trophy following his team's victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Federico Bernardeschi set to join Toronto FC
Federico Bernardeschi reacts on during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Lazio. The Italy international is set for a move to MLS. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Italian Federico Bernardeschi set to join Toronto FC

Recruitment in Italy isn’t over yet in Major League Soccer and more specifically for Toronto FC as they have a deal in place to bring Federico Bernardeschi in on a free transfer.

Bernardeschi is officially the third Italy international to be signed by Toronto FC this season, after striker Lorenzo Insigne left his boyhood club Napoli and defender Domenico Criscito of Genoa, all on free transfers.

The 28-year-old will occupy TFC’s designated player spot following the release of Alejandro Pozuelo and Carlos Salcedo. The winger will definitely develop a chemistry with his ex Azzurri and Euro 2020 Championship-winning teammate Insigne.

Bernardeschi’s time at Juventus was a tad disappointing over his five-year stint in Turin. He arrived from Fiorentina for a hefty €40 million but didn’t live up to the hype. In five years, Bernardeschi only found the back of net 8 times while registering 12 assists. The hardware he won with the Bianconeri was nothing but disappointing. He won three Scudettos, two Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa Italiana.

Bernardeschi is a veteran player for the Azzurri, appearing in 39 international matches and registering 6 goals for his home country.

One could say it has been a roller coaster career with the national team as he experienced the highs of capturing a Euro 2020 trophy last summer. With his move to the MLS, he will likely retire from the national team, meaning he will never get to represent the Azzurri in a FIFA World Cup match since Italy have found a way to shoot themselves in the foot over the last two qualification periods, failing to get to the biggest international soccer tournament in 2018 and again in 2022.

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Toronto FC find themselves in a desperate situation, now hoping their blockbuster Italian signings can help turn the season around. The club sits 7 points back from expansion side Charlotte FC for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference table.

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