MLSellout

Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco has signed for Toronto FC, joining the MLS side at the end of the season on a free to become the highest paid player in league history. However, at the age of 27, the Italian has sold out his career as there were competitive sides rumoured to be interested in his services.

In today's modern game, money talks. There have been a number of examples were players have traded loyalty, competition and their careers for financial gain. Giovinco is the latest example of such a trend in football.

Giovinco will become the highest paid Italian player and is going to quadruple the wage he was earning at the Turin club. His five year contract will earn him a basic wage of seven million euros with add ons amounting to around two and a half million euros. He was previously earning two and a half  million euros at Juventus, a microscopic wage to what he is set to earn.

The Juventus academy product's agent spoke out not so long and said there were several clubs vying for his signature. The likes of Lyon and Fiorentina were touted by the media as interested parties but, Giovinco has opted for the Canadian side.  

Giovinco was not present at the unveiling

However, the "Atomic Ant" is not a player coming to the end of his career looking for one final pay day in an exotic location. Giovinco is a fully fledged Italian international, capped 21 times and was included in Italy's recent friendly against Albania.

Although often on the fringes of the Italian national side and not included in the Italian world cup squad, Giovinco has effectively ended his international career. Moving to a side like Toronto FC will make it hard for Antonio Conte to seriously consider him for future squads.

Giovinco has not been a first team player for the Old Lady for sometime now, in recent seasons finding game time very rare. It was definitely time for Giovinco to leave the club but, to forfeit top level football for a nice pay check at his age and with his ability is a huge mistake.  

Giovinco has found game time at Juventus hard to come by

The diminutive little attacker is blessed with great pace and is certainly a tricky customer however, he often tries to do the spectacular when the simple option is best. If Giovinco could get his head up more often instead of taking on another player, the Italian would be a real asset to many European sides.

MLS supporters will argue this is just another example of the growing popularity of football outside of Europe. Players of ability moving out to the likes of the MLS and Indian Super League is just part of the growing trend and it can be argued that Giovinco is just part of that. Toronto boast a star studded squad too, with the likes of Micheal Bradley formerly of Roma and Jermain Defoe previously of Tottenham and on loan at Sunderland both on their books.

Giovinco has chased the money with his move to Toronto. It is ashame to see a player of his calibre cash in rather than challenge himself at another top European club. Such a move will do good for the MLS and will attract yet more people to keep an eye on the league however. Money's voice was louder than the voice of reason in Giovinco's case...