Toronto FC Release Insigne and Bernardeschi from Contracts: Sources

Toronto FC have agreed to mutual contract terminations with wingers Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, sources tell GIVEMESPORT. The move sees both players depart the club and opens up two designated player spots for TFC.

It’s a huge day for Toronto, now firmly able to move into a new era. Decision-makers who led the push to sign Insigne and Bernardeschi had previously departed the club as well, while Robin Fraser took over as head coach this winter.

All sides agreed it was time to split after a hugely disappointing era that began with so much expectation when Insigne and Bernardeschi joined Toronto in 2022. Insigne left boyhood club Napoli on a free transfer to join Toronto. It was viewed as a huge coup by the club and a marquee signing for MLS, joining just after winning the European Championship with Italy. Bernardeschi was part of that Euros squad as well and he arrived after leaving Juventus.

Unfortunately, Insigne’s signing has gone down as one of the worst in MLS history. Toronto haven’t made the playoffs in any year since the Italian duo arrived, including a dead last finish in MLS in 2023. Insigne’s $15.4 million salary is more than the total outlay of nine MLS teams this year. Insigne and Bernareschi combined to make more than all but seven MLS teams.

He has only 15 goals in 66 MLS games, routinely missing time with injury over the years as well. Bernardeschi, 31, had a bounceback 2024 campaign with eight goals and eight assists and was on pace for almost exactly the same production this year, with four goals and four assists halfway through the season. All in all, Bernardeschi had 25 goals and 12 assists in 88 MLS appearances for Toronto.

For as disappointing as the on-field output has been, the negative headlines off the field have followed. In 2023, The Athletic detailed a behind-the-scenes look at the fractured culture in the locker room, in which Insigne pushed for the firing of head coach Bob Bradley. Later that season, The Athletic also detailed an incident in which Insigne stormed out of training after an argument with interim coach Terry Dunfield, who replaced Bradley.

In 2024, Insigne missed more time down the stretch of the season. Toronto were playing Inter Miami and Insigne was only fit enough to make the bench. He subbed in towards the end of the game and then-head coach John Herdman appeared to take a shot at Insigne in the press conference. \"You could see he didn't have much in him,\" Herdman told media. \"I think he managed to get Messi's shirt, though. But... yeah.\"