Toronto FC duo Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi released after two difficult years for MLS club

Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi have both agreed to mutually terminate their contracts with Toronto, according to GiveMeSport. The two wingers are among the highest paid players in MLS, and were part of a difficult era in Toronto in which the club failed to make the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Toronto are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, with only four wins in 19 matches this season.

Insigne, in particular, has been a disappointment for Toronto. According to the latest MLS salary guide, released last month, the Italian has the second highest salary in the league, a deal he agreed after leaving his boyhood club Napoli in 2022.

His $15.4 million intake is more than the total spend of nine MLS clubs this year. Bernardeschi, too, was taking up a significant portion of the team's payroll, with a guaranteed compensation of $6.3M.

Insigne has 15 goals in 66 MLS games. Bernardeschi had 25 goals and 12 assists in 88 MLS appearances for Toronto.

The Canadian club confirmed that they had parted ways with Bernadeschi in an official statement.

"After internal discussions with Federico, we were aligned that this was the correct moment to part ways," said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. "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 MLS club now have two DP slots open, and can begin rebuilding a roster that has struggled in MLS of late.