### Toronto FC Ends High-Profile Era: Insigne and Bernardeschi Depart Toronto FC has officially parted ways with Italian forwards Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, marking the end of a high-profile but ultimately disappointing chapter for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. Both players joined Toronto in July 2022, with Insigne transferring from Napoli and Bernardeschi from Juventus, but their time in the league has been characterized by underperformance and unmet expectations. The club announced the mutual termination of their contracts on July 1, 2025, utilizing their permitted buyouts to relieve themselves of the hefty financial burden associated with the players' contracts [https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2025/Jul/02/toronto-cuts-high-priced-wingers-lorenzo-insigne-and-federico-bernardeschi, https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/toronto-fc-f-federico-bernardeschi-mutually-part-ways-2025-07-01]. ### Breakdown of the Departure 1. **Contract Termination**: Toronto FC mutually agreed to terminate the contracts of both Insigne and Bernardeschi, which were seen as financially burdensome given their performance on the field [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45632185/toronto-fc-contract-termination-lorenzo-insigne-federico-bernardeschi]. 2. **Performance Issues**: The departure comes after a series of disappointing seasons for the club, which has struggled to find success in the MLS despite the star power of these players [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-federico-bernardeschi-leaves-toronto-fc]. 3. **New Direction**: With the arrival of new head coach Robin Fraser, Toronto FC is looking to reset and rebuild, indicating a shift in strategy moving forward [https://www.themirror.com/sport/soccer/toronto-fc-insigne-bernadeschi-mls-1238403]. 4. **Financial Implications**: The buyouts of Insigne and Bernardeschi's contracts were necessary for the club to alleviate its financial commitments, allowing for potential reinvestment in new talent [https://www.cp24.com/news/sports/2025/07/01/toronto-fc-buys-out-hefty-contracts-of-italys-insigne-bernardeschi]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Contract Buyouts**: Toronto FC utilized its two permitted buyouts to terminate the contracts of both players, which were described as "hefty" and "guaranteed" deals [https://www.sootoday.com/national-sports/federico-bernardeschi-leaves-toronto-fc-lorenzo-insigne-expected-to-follow-10886935]. - **Performance Metrics**: While specific performance statistics were not detailed in the articles, the general sentiment across reports indicates that the contributions of both players did not meet the expectations set by their high-profile signings [https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/mls/articles/insigne-and-bernardeschi-leave-toronto-after-three-years-in-mls-2025-07-01]. ### Conclusion: A New Chapter for Toronto FC In summary, **Toronto FC's decision to part ways with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi signifies a critical turning point for the club**. The mutual termination of their contracts reflects both a need to address financial burdens and a desire to pursue a new direction under the leadership of head coach Robin Fraser. 1. **Mutual Contract Termination**: Insigne and Bernardeschi's contracts were mutually terminated, allowing the club to move forward without the financial strain [https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/toronto-fc-f-federico-bernardeschi-mutually-part-ways-2025-07-01]. 2. **Performance Review**: The players' contributions did not align with the expectations set by their signings, leading to this decision [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-federico-bernardeschi-leaves-toronto-fc]. 3. **Future Prospects**: The club aims to rebuild and re-strategize, indicating a fresh start for Toronto FC in the upcoming seasons [https://www.themirror.com/sport/soccer/toronto-fc-insigne-bernadeschi-mls-1238403].