Jonathan Osorio (21) and Sebastian Giovinco (10) celebrate after winning the 2017 MLS Cup Final against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field on December 9, 2017.
The former MLS MVP had missed pre-season training this week in California with a club spokesman saying Giovinco had been excused due to "leg tightness."
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Giovinco's contract negotiations had been "heightened" by external pressures, according to Manning, with the presence of so-called soccer brokers, well-connected promoters who look to strike deals that agents then attempt to consummate with the clubs in question.
Giovinco's departure leaves Toronto in a bind given Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez has decamped to Qatar's Al-Arabi SC.
Giovinco, Toronto's all-time leading scorer with more than a few club records, and Vazquez accounted for 21 goals and 24 assists last season.
Their departure strengthens the bargaining position of striker Jozy Altidore, whose contract also expires at the end of the 2019 season.
- Toronto FC striker Sebastian Giovinco sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal FCGlobalnews.ca
- Source: Toronto FC sells star striker Sebastian Giovinco to Saudi clubYahoo Canada Sports
- Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-HilalESPN (press release) (blog)
- TFC loses top player Giovinco to Saudi Arabian clubToronto Sun
- Toronto FC sells Giovinco to Saudi club teamTSN
- NewsAlert: Source: Toronto FC sells star striker Sebastian Giovinco to Saudi clubTimes Colonist
- Source: Toronto FC mulls over new transfer offer for Sebastian GiovincoNorth Shore News
- Toronto FC sells Sebastian Giovinco to Saudi club Al-HilalSporting News
- Giovinco misses another TFC training session, club mum on exact whereaboutsLethbridge Herald
