Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco Joins Al-Hilal

By
Ben Clarke
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Sebastian Giovinco with Toronto
Sebastian Giovinco with Toronto. Photo by Tim Bouwer/Isi/REX/Shutterstock

Toronto FC decided to part ways with their star forward Sebastian Giovinco, sending the 32-year-old to Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal. According to ESPN, Al-Hilal acquired Giovinco, who had one more year left on his deal, for a transfer fee worth between $2 million and $3 million.

“This was an extremely emotional transaction for our club.  We’d like to thank Seba for all he did for TFC during his time with the club. He gave our fans many thrilling moments during his four years, especially during our championship season in 2017,” – said Toronto FC President Bill Manning in a statement. “He leaves Toronto as the greatest player in club history. We wish Seba and his family nothing but the best as he begins a new chapter.”

Sebastian Giovinco joined Toronto in 2015 and went on to play 142 regular season games with the club and scored 83 goals in the process. He became team’s all-time leading goal scorer while also holding several club and MLS records. Giovinco made the MLS All-Star selection each year since coming to the league while receiving a number of other honors including MLS MVP Award in 2015.

After his departure from Toronto FC was made official, Sebastian Giovinco decided to explain the circumstances behind his departure via lengthy Instagram post. In this post, Giovinco revealed that he wanted to finish his career in MLS but that the team decided to offer him “unacceptable terms.

“As I have always maintained, I was hoping to renew my contract and finish my playing career in a city that feels like home. … A place my family loves to live and wanted to call home for good,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, this desire of ours has clashed with a change in direction with current TFC management. For the 2 years I have been seeking to extend my contract however management was reluctant. Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable.”

You can read Giovinco’s entire message below.

View this post on Instagram

Toronto has been home to me and my family for almost 5 years. I arrived here from Italy in January 2015 and immediately felt something special. From day one, I worked hard to repay the opportunity that Toronto had given me. From that first year, I realized that we could do great things here. Through hard work, passion and determination my teammates and I transformed TFC and made it one of the best clubs in MLS and in North America. We didn’t do this alone. Without our great fans this would not have been possible. I can confidently say that I significantly contributed in making unprecedented history at TFC. We wrote a new chapter in the club’s history, together. All for One. This journey has been a wonderful experience for my family and me. It’s without hesitation that I can say that I wanted it to end differently. As I have always maintained, I was hoping to renew my contract and finish my playing career in a city that feels like home. It is here where my daughter was born and where my son took his first steps on a football pitch. A place my family loves to live and wanted to call home for good. Unfortunately, this desire of ours has clashed with a change in direction with current TFC management. For the 2 years I have been seeking to extend my contract however management was reluctant. Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable. They may say I left for a more lucrative deal, but this is not the case. Their offer and lack of transparency is a clear message. It seems management prefers to focus on things other than the pure desire to win. After having grown the brand and elevating the overall reputation of TFC both at home and abroad, it seems I no longer serve a purpose. I would have accepted less to stay in Toronto. Therefore, I reluctantly announce that my tenure as a TFC player has come to an end. I will now focus my attention and efforts towards another challenge. With me I bring beautiful memories. Toronto – the 6ix – you are and will always remain in my heart. Thank you for everything you have taught me about myself and about life. I love you Toronto! Seba

A post shared by Sebastian Giovinco (@sebagiovincoofficial) on

Ben Clarke
Ben loves sports so much but prefers watching other people do it. He prefers not to share what teams he's supporting but he is willing to admit that Lebron James is, in fact, the king.