Toronto FC officially announce Giovinco signing

Toronto FC have made it official.  Sebastian Giovinco will be joining the club in 2015 having agreed to terms on a contract with the club.  The player will officially join the club in July when his current contract with Serie A side Juventus runs out.  For Giovinco to join earlier it would have meant Toronto FC and Juventus agreeing on a transfer fee which did not seem like something the Italian club was interested in doing as the player remains in their plans for this season.

The player remains committed to seeing out his contract with Juventus and helping to club finish off their season strong before making the move to Toronto.  Having him come in July is not ideal but the good news is that Toronto FC start the season with a lengthy road trip and by the time they do get back in to the upgraded BMO Field they will not have long to wait before Giovinco is with them.  Hopefully, that addition will allow the team to go on a run of good results with all those games at home in the second half of the season.

At the official press conference to announce the signing, Greg Vanney noted that Giovinco will be filling the role as the primary playmaker for the team when he does arrive.  The team were looking for someone who could set up chances for others while also being able to create chances of their own.  He should serve as the link between Michael Bradley in the middle of the park and Jozy Altidore leading the attacking line.

It appears that Giovinco will not only wear the #10 but also be used like one with the team despite his ability to drift out on to the wings as well as play as a withdrawn forward.  The big question will be how he adapts to playing in that role in MLS as it tends to be a very physical area of the field.  TFC will have their work cut out to make sure they are creating the kind of space he needs to have an impact in that area of the field.  If they can create space for him and give him options than there is no reason to believe that he can't have a major impact in the league.

The team noted that they have until March 1 to review their roster and make decisions regarding their fourth designated player and what they will do with Gilberto.  Tim Bezbatchenko noted that they have been informed by the league that for now they should plan based on having three DPs even if there is a chance that a new CBA will change that.

What it all means is that Toronto FC are now one big piece closer to having their roster ready for the 2015 MLS season.  They certainly have several more moves to make before the roster is completely set but we now have a much clearer picture of what the team will look like even if the full puzzle won't be in place until July.