Addio, Napoli! Long-serving captain Insigne will move to MLS – and double his wages
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 28.12.21. | 16:21
Toronto FC have agreed to sign Lorenzo Insigne on a hefty five-year contract
The unthinkable is about to happen. Lorenzo Insigne, one of those rare players who have only played for one club at the top level, will leave Napoli. The 30-year-old will also leave Italy and will head to Canada and the MLS. Toronto FC have agreed to pay Insigne $10.8 million per season – over a course of five seasons.
To say that Insigne has done well for himself would be an understatement. His Napoli contract has another six months to run and the club's half-hearted attempts to extend their captain's stay have been labelled a disgrace by the player's agent Vincenzo Pisacane. Not only that Napoli president failed to offer a pay raise to their most influential player, but have decided to slash Insigne's $5.7 million salary in half.
6 January, 22.45: (2.05) Juventus (3.50) Napoli (3.90)
Where the Neapolitans failed – the Canadians succeeded. The Northern American clubs are determined to raise the league's profile by signing big-name players from Europe. Over the years, they attracted the likes of David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Carlos Valderrama, Kaka, Thierry Henry, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and quite a few more to play in the MLS. Toronto, managed by former United States national team coach Bob Bradley, will splash $54 million in wages on the Italian playmaker.
Insigne will see the season out with his current club as they try to mount a title challenge. Lifting the trophy to end his 15-year association with Napoli would be the best way to say goodbye but it's going to be mighty hard to finish above Inter Milan, Atalanta and AC Milan this season.
One of the reasons Insigne has agreed to go to Canada is so that he would never have to play against his beloved Napoli.
