TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Mutual contract termination & buyout
Toronto FC and winger Federico Bernardeschi have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, the club announced Tuesday.
To complete the transaction, Toronto utilized one of their two buyouts of a guaranteed contract on Bernardeschi. Each club has two per season.
The 31-year-old Italian international joined Toronto as a Designated Player midway through the 2022 season, arriving from Serie A side Juventus.
Additionally, Toronto will reportedly soon also mutually part ways with forward Lorenzo Insigne – kick-starting a new era. The Italian DPs were among the highest-paid players in the league.
“After internal discussions with Federico, we were aligned that this was the correct moment to part ways,” said Toronto FC general manager Jason Hernandez.
“We would like to thank Fede for his contributions to Toronto FC over the past three years and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career.”
Bernardeschi produced 26 goals and 22 assists in 99 matches across all competitions. He was named a 2024 MLS All-Star.
Bernardeschi was brought in under former club president Bill Manning and head coach Bob Bradley. Now, Hernandez is at the helm and hired head coach Robin Fraser ahead of the 2025 campaign after John Herdman departed the club last year.
“The Designated Player strategy is a critical component to Toronto FC’s success in Major League Soccer and the club will continue to prioritize TFC’s short, medium and long-term strategy in the weeks ahead,” said MLSE president & CEO Keith Pelley.
Toronto last made the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2020 under now-LA Galaxy manager Greg Vanney. Beforehand, they won MLS Cup 2017 as part of a historic treble that included Supporters' Shield and Canadian Championship titles.
The Reds are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference standings (4W-10L-5D), 11 points below the playoff line.
The MLS Secondary Transfer Window spans from July 24 to Aug. 21, allowing clubs to make summer signings from within the league or abroad.
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