Lorenzo Insigne decided to leave boyhood club Napoli and head to Toronto FC in July 2022, and he's since opened up on his experience of trading Serie A for a record-breaking Major League Soccer contract.
The 31-year-old spent his entire career at Napoli, although he enjoyed a handful of loan spells elsewhere in Italy while establishing himself early into his career. But last year, Insigne decided to end the chapter in his native Italy and move abroad to Canada, becoming the face of Toronto FC in MLS after signing an eye-watering $14million deal.
Switching clubs, leagues and cultures is never an easy move for any professional, especially when leaving everything you've ever known. But Insigne has hailed the Toronto fans for welcoming him, and has issued a promise for the upcoming MLS season.
Insigne was adored in Naples, wearing the now-iconic no.24 jersey and captaining the side as they beat Juventus to lift the Coppa Italia back in 2020. He's also a pretty big hit across Italy, being a part of their Euro 2020 success as they beat England on penalties in the final.
But Toronto FC came calling, and they succeeded in persuading Insigne to join, where so many other clubs have failed over the years. Insigne agreed to join Toronto in January 2022, but didn't officially sign until July 1 of that year.
Insigne played 11 times during the recent MLS season, scoring six times as he adjusted to life over in North America. Ahead of his first full season in MLS, Insigne spoke about how it felt to leave Napoli, and how surprised he was to be given such a warm welcome in Toronto.
"Always playing for Napoli, I've always been there. So when I came here and I saw that there were all these fans that welcomed me, and they’re from Italy, I was so impressed by it," Insigne told MLSsoccer.com at MLS media day last month. "It was very flattering that people across the ocean knew who I am and were waiting for me."
Although the move itself may have been slightly daunting, Insigne claimed that it was made easy by the Toronto locals. "The easiest part was coming to Toronto," Insigne added.
"The welcome that everybody had for me and the support and faith they have in me. The most difficult part is me trying to exchange this faith, and providing them with results for my team, and earning their trust in me, not only outside but on the pitch."
Toronto FC endured an underwhelming season in 2022, but Insigne is "determined" to get things right this year, and shoot them back into the MLS Cup play-offs. "I'm determined and motivated to give back to the fans what they have been giving to me," he said.
Insigne has also been joined by fellow Italian Federico Bernardeschi in Toronto, as the former Juventus star signed just two weeks after the former Napoli man. Bernardeschi scored eight goals in 13 appearances for Toronto, and together they'll be looking to revolutionise Toronto FC.
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