The winds of change are blowing through BMO Field as Toronto FC announced yesterday that Federico Bernardeschi has officially left the club, with fellow Italian star Lorenzo Insigne expected to follow suit in the coming days.
After two turbulent seasons that failed to meet lofty expectations, Toronto’s Italian experiment appears to be concluding abruptly. The club confirmed Bernardeschi’s departure through a mutual contract termination, ending a relationship that began with tremendous fanfare in July 2022.
“Sometimes the partnerships that seem most promising on paper don’t translate to success on the pitch,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning in a statement. “We thank Federico for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
The 30-year-old Bernardeschi, who arrived as a European Championship winner with Italy and Juventus standout, produced 14 goals and 11 assists across 55 appearances for the Reds. Despite flashes of brilliance, his tenure was marked by inconsistency and mounting frustration.
Local football analyst Martin Chen told me the departures represent a significant reset for the organization. “This signals the end of an ambitious but ultimately disappointing chapter. The club invested heavily in star power but couldn’t build a cohesive team around these talents.”
Sources close to the club indicate Insigne, whose four-year, $60 million contract made him the highest-paid player in MLS history, is finalizing his exit agreement. The diminutive winger has struggled with injuries and adaptation to North American football since his arrival.
Toronto-based football journalist Samantha Baxter believes the departures may benefit the club long-term. “These moves free up significant salary cap space and designated player slots. It’s a chance for the front office to rebuild with a more balanced approach rather than hanging their hopes on a few high-priced stars.”
The Italian stars’ departures mark a dramatic shift from the excitement that surrounded their arrivals. When they signed in 2022, thousands of fans gathered at Toronto Pearson International Airport to welcome them, and replica jerseys sold out within days.
For longtime TFC supporter James Wilson, the news brings mixed emotions. “I remember the electricity when they first stepped onto the field,” he said while watching training at the BMO Training Ground yesterday. “But honestly, we never saw that level of performance consistently. It’s disappointing but probably necessary.”
During their time in Toronto, both players expressed challenges adapting to MLS’s physical style, extensive travel demands, and artificial turf surfaces at several venues. Cultural adjustment also proved difficult, with Bernardeschi occasionally showing visible frustration during matches.
Toronto FC currently sits 13th in the Eastern Conference with just four wins from 17 matches this season. This disappointing performance follows last year’s campaign where the team finished 29th overall in the 29-team league.
Financial implications of these moves are significant. According to MLS salary data from the Players Association, the pair accounted for nearly $30 million in annual compensation, representing an enormous financial commitment that yielded minimal returns.
Looking ahead, Toronto FC’s front office faces the challenge of reconstructing a competitive roster. Sporting Director Deandre Phillips acknowledged this reality, stating: “We’re entering a new phase for this club. Our focus now is building a sustainable, competitive team rather than chasing headlines.”
For Toronto’s passionate football community, the departures mark the end of a bold experiment that ultimately failed to deliver. Now the question becomes: what comes next for a club that has swung between championship glory and basement-dwelling disappointment over the past six years?
As the summer transfer window approaches, Toronto fans will watch closely to see how the club reinvests the resources freed by these high-profile departures. Whether through younger designated players or more balanced roster construction, one thing is certain – the Italian renaissance at BMO Field has concluded before it truly began.
