By DAN KARELL
Toronto FC could have all three of its Designated Players around for the start of the 2015 MLS season.
According to reports in Italy, Sebastian Giovinco is close to an agreement with Juventus that would allow the “Atomic Ant” to join TFC in February and take part in preseason training. TFC announced on Jan. 19 that Giovinco had signed a Designated Player contract with the club. It was initially anticipated that he would join TFC in July.
TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko has claimed that the club hasn’t spoken with Juventus, but head coach Greg Vanney said that the club is hopeful that Giovinco could arrive ahead of schedule.
In the meantime, Toronto has until March 1 to shed one of its Designated Player contracts, which surely means that forward Gilberto is on his way out. According to reports in Canada, Gilberto has remained in his native Brazil while TFC begins preseason training in Florida.
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What do you think of this news? Do you see Giovinco arriving next month? Do you think that TFC is a playoff team with Giovinco around all season?
Share your thoughts below.
This is surely incorrect. He is probablynegotiating to be loaned to Juve until February 2016.
Can we just call him Ant-Man in lieu of the upcoming film?…
So they have a contract and the rights to the player …. but don’t get him until the team that no loner owns his rights is sufficiently finished with him ….
Too many players start mid-season and it rapidly becomes a lost season for them. Fantastic if it happens.
But he is under contract and not practicing with them ?
Seems a little far-fetched, no ?
I believe TFC will find a way to keep Gilberto, one way or another.
Gilberto is good as gone. They retained Luke Moore who is a versatile forward that can hold up the ball. Bright Dike was recently getting called up to Nigeria until his injury and he is a beast. If healthy, that adds depth. Jordan Hamilton is a promising young Candian, and they still have speedy Findlay. Add in that Giovinco is an attacking midfielder that is known for scoring and you gotta figure that they don’t really need Gilberto, although I think Gilberto is a fine forward.