By Canadian Press

Federico Bernardeschi leaves Toronto FC, Lorenzo Insigne expected to follow

Jul 1, 2025 | 7:16 AM

TORONTO — Toronto FC is parting ways with designated player Federico Bernardeschi with the expectation that fellow Italian Lorenzo Insigne will follow him out the door.

The Major League Soccer club and Bernardeschi have agreed to terminate the winger’s contract, with TFC using one of its two permitted buyouts of his guaranteed deal.

“After internal discussions with Federico, we were aligned that this was the correct moment to part ways,” Toronto GM Jason Hernandez said in a statement. “We would like to thank Fede for his contributions to Toronto FC over the past three years and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career.”

The two Italian designated players arrived to much fanfare — and with paycheques to match — midway through the 2022 season. But they could not return the club to its former glory.

Toronto (4-10-5) currently sits 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, four places and nine points below the playoff line, and 26th overall in the 30-team league. It has not made the playoffs since 2020, when it stumbled at the first hurdle.

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Bernardeschi Is making US$6.295 million this season, which ranks sixth in MLS. Insigne is making U$15.4 million, second only to Lionel Messi’s US$20.5 million.

Bernardeschi’s contract ran through 2026 with option years through 2028 while Insigne’s deal runs through June 2026 with an option for the remainder of the year.

Their departure opens up two designated player spots.

“The designated player strategy is a critical component to Toronto FC’s success in Major League Soccer and the club will continue to prioritize TFC’s short-, medium- and long-term strategy in the weeks ahead,” added MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley.

The 31-year-old Bernardeschi scored 26 goals and added 22 assists in 99 appearances across all competitions. An all-star in 2024, he has four goals and four assists through 15 matches this season.

Bernardeschi has not played since May 24 when he picked up a fifth yellow card that earned him a one-game suspension. He missed the last three games with what Toronto coach Robin Fraser described as a “lingering” injury.

The 34-year-old Insigne has sat out the last two games. He did not make it off the bench in a 1-1 draw with the New York red Bulls and did not dress for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Portland.

At the time, Fraser said the club wanted to give other players a chance.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press