Toronto president admits to signing Lorenzo Insigne the Football Manager way.. by scouring Transfermarkt for free agents
TORONTO president Bill Manning signed Italian sensation Lorenzo Inisgne the Football Manager way.
The Canadian side pulled off a coup to seal the free transfer and Manning revealed he found the 30-year-old on football website Transfermarkt.
Insigne has spent the last 16 years at boyhood club Napoli but has now been snapped up by the MLS side.
The Italy international will become the highest paid player in the MLS when he links up with Bob Bradley's team on a free transfer in July.
Forward Insigne has already signed a pre-contract agreement and will put pen to paper on a four-year deal.
However, it is the method Manning used that will be remembered.
He told the Toronto Sun: “I looked up the Italian national team on what players were coming out of contract.
“And Lorenzo Insigne was one of a few players that was coming out of contract.
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"I started writing down players that I thought were world class, that I thought would have commercial value in this market.
"I then presented to the MLSE board a five-year vision on what we need to do to reinvigorate our club. And Lorenzo Insigne was the first name on that list.”
Transfermarkt is a website which displays far-reaching information about football, including results, transfer news and player values.
Insigne will earn a reported £155,000-a-week in Canada.
The contract is also said to include a potential £3.6m in add-ons.
Skipper Insigne has made 416 appearances for Napoli in which he has scored 114 goals while laying on 91 assists.
His tally puts him fourth on Napoli's all-time leading goalscorer list.about:blank
The 5ft 4in ace has 53 caps for Italy and helped his nation win Euro 2020.
Upon sealing the huge coup, Toronto head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley hailed his new signing's creativity.
The former Swansea boss said: "We are all looking forward to having Lorenzo join us this summer.
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“His ability to create chances for himself and his team-mates is special.
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"Having watched him for many years, I also know he’s also a player who works for the team.
"Lorenzo is the kind of player you come to watch, because there’s always a chance he’ll do something unforgettable."
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