Toronto FC used a unique transfer method to sign Lorenzo Insigne

Lorenzo Insigne will become the highest paid player in the history of Major League Soccer after signing a four-year-deal with Toronto FC worth $13 million per season. The 30-year-old will arrive as a free agent at the Canadian-based team in July, once his contract with Napoli expires.

How did Toronto find Insigne?

The president of Toronto, Bill Manning, confirmed that he used the website Transfermarkt to find out that Insigne will become a free agent this year. The Italian playmaker will leave his boyhood club Napoli after 16 years to continue his career in the US professional soccer league.

“I looked up the Italian national team on what players were coming out of contract and Lorenzo Insigne was one of a few players that was coming out of contract,” he said to the Toronto Sun. “I started writing down players that I thought were world class, that I thought would have a commercial value in this market.

“I then presented to the MLSE board a five-year vision on what we need to do to reinvigorate our club. And Lorenzo Insigne was the first name on that list,” he added. Transfermarkt is a website that gives you outstanding detail on players' contracts, market value, injuries and performances throughout their career, among other stats.

Newly appointed coach Bob Bradley was thrilled about the signing of Insigne for his debut season with Toronto in MLS: “We are all looking forward to having Lorenzo join us this summer. His ability to create chances for himself and his teammates is special.”