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Sebastian Giovinco was tipped for greatness when he was a teenager in the Juventus youth ranks. He then had to go out on loan to secure playing time just a few years later. After that successful stint at parma, he returned to Juventus with plenty of playing time ensured under Antonio Conte. These days, he can barely sniff any kind of consistent time on the field.
So to say his career path has been anything
Now, as he enters the final months of his current Juventus contract, the always-interesting career path of the player once compared to Alessandro Del Piero is taking another twist and extremely surprising turn.
Toronto FC to announce Sebastian Giovinco as its newest player early next week, Sportsnet has learned. Story to follow on Sportsnet.ca #TFC
— John Molinaro (@JohnMolinaro) January 17, 2015
Can confirm Toronto FC has agreed a deal to sign Italian Sebastian Giovinco of Juventus. Will join club in July #MLS
— Luke Wileman (@LukeWileman) January 18, 2015
These reports of Giovinco -- who has always been one of the numerous candidates to get a contract extension with Juventus but has never seen anything materialize -- come off the back of speculation from Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio about a deal seriously being in the works. Or, at the very least, an offer being tabled from Toronto FC.
There have been a lot of reports in North America regarding Toronto FC making a rich offer to Giovinco, and now the confirmation arrives from Italy as well. The MLS club has indeed offered Giovinco an annual salary of 6 million euro, which would be a substantial raise for the striker. Giovinco's current contract with Juventus expires in June, and while he has suitors in Italy (especially Fiorentina and Bologna) he could earn more by joining Toronto.
After reading both pieces of information above, I just envision a couple of dump trucks with the Toronto FC logo on either side rolling up to the Giovinco residence and the driver yelling, "Here! Take all of our money!" At least a good and big enough raise compared to what he makes right now to convince him to come from Italy to Canada, that is.
Think about it this way: Giovinco is a good, solid player who could easily play for a number of teams around Europe. So either an offer to what him and his always-talking-the-press-at-any-chance-he-gets agent never blew them away, or the Giovinco camp saw this as an opportunity for a big pay day in a league that has continued to grow these past few years.
Regardless of what truly is the reason that is bringing Giovinco to Major League Soccer, this is a move that definitely comes out of the blue for many. I mean, it's not exactly the mid-table English or Italian teams we've been hearing about lately, right? So good on you, Seba, and good luck in North America. Feel free to come say hi any time you want.
