TORONTO — Hundreds of pairs of hands joined to form hearts as Toronto FC fans sang and cheered Lorenzo Insigne.
A visibly moved Insigne made the loving gesture back.
Insigne was formally introduced to Toronto FC fans on Friday night, a celebration nearly seven months after the Italian international signed with the Major League Soccer club on January 8.
“Thank you all for coming,” Insigne said through a translator. “I just hope that during the game I can contribute and lead Toronto to victory.”
Insigne then closed her brief stage appearance by switching to English and shouting “all for one!” at the microphone, with fans applauding his use of the Toronto FC motto.
His arrival may give hope to the TFC season as Toronto sits 12th in the 14-team MLS Eastern Conference with a 4-3-8 record.
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The 31-year-old native of Naples, Italy has 132 goals in 416 club appearances, mostly for Serie A club Napoli.
Insigne (pronounced In-SEEN-ya) signed a four-year deal with the Reds and enters MLS as the highest-paid player.
He tops Chicago’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who currently tops the league’s salary list at $8.153 million.
Insigne said Friday that he was up for the challenge.
“(TFC President Bill Manning) did a great job. He really sold me on the project and the project is amazing,” said Insigne, who makes the heart gesture as a tribute to his wife.
“I know it’s going to be difficult because it’s the first time I’m leaving Napoli, but for me and my family it’s going to be great.”
He is expected to play his first match on July 9, two days after the MLS secondary transfer window opens, at home against the San Jose Earthquakes.
TFC will have played 18 of its 34 regular season games by then.
Help may be on the way for Insigne, as veteran left back Domenico Criscito has agreed to sign with Toronto FC.
The 35-year-old defender has been playing for Genoa since 2018.
Hundreds waited for Insigne on a side street in downtown Toronto’s Little Italy for several hours.
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A small stage was set up next to the popular Café Diplomático restaurant, with a DJ spinning dance music while MCs Maria Papadakis and Rick Campanelli kept the crowd entertained with giveaways and competitions.
Kamil Kartel, a fan who took the stage to see how long he could yell “goal” like an Italian soccer announcer, said he loved seeing Toronto FC fans gathered.
“It’s great to see so many familiar faces around,” Kartel said, gesturing to the crowd. “I love it when we have great signings like this. I love when the community comes together”
About 20 members of the Napoli Club Toronto were in attendance, wearing Insigne jerseys and holding scarves and banners emblazoned with the team’s logo.
When Insigne arrived at the scene with a police escort, members of the fan club led Napoli in chants to welcome Insigne.
“He’s like the Diego Maradona of our generation,” said Luca Lombardi, referring to the co-winner of FIFA’s Player of the 20th Century Award who also played for Napoli between 1984 and 1991.
“Maradona was a hero to all Neapolitans when he played for them in the 80s and 90s.
“Now for us in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s, Insigne is our hero. This means more to us.”
© 2022 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca