Departure of Italian DPs marks new approach for Toronto FC

Much was expected of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi at Toronto FC when they arrived in the summer of 2022.  

Toronto missed the playoffs the previous year and the hope was that the two high-priced Italian DPs, whose reputations and resumes preceded them, would make a major impact in MLS and restore the club to the upper echelon of the league.  

But it didn’t work out that way and TFC decided to cut their losses on Tuesday when they announced they had agreed to mutual contract terminations with Insigne and Bernardeschi, using their two contract buyouts to end their relationship with both players.  

When looking at the stats and the money involved, you can understand why Toronto took this course of action. Insigne, 34, was the second-highest player in MLS this season (behind Lionel Messi's $20.5 million US), making $15.4 million. Bernardeschi, 31, was earning $6,295,381 US this year (sixth-most in MLS).