Sebastian Giovinco, uma das estrelas maiores da MLS, está a caminho da Arábia Saudita. O avançado de 32 anos vai representar o Al Hilal, emblema que até ontem era orientado por Jorge Jesus.

Nas redes sociais, o italiano explicou que a decisão de abandonar o Toronto não foi uma escolha sua, sendo que teria pedido à direção do clube para, inclusivamente, lhe renovar o contrato.

"Como sempre mantive, estava à espera de renovar o meu contrato e terminar a minha carreira numa cidade onde me sinto como se estivesse em casa", começa por referir o experiente jogador.

"(....) Infelizmente, este desejo chocou com a vontade da atual direção do clube. Nos últimos dois anos eu tenho procurado uma forma de prolongar o meu contrato, algo que a direção nunca acedeu. Recentemente, depois de recusarem a opção de prolongar o meu contrato até 2020, ofereceram-me condições que eu penso inaceitáveis. Podem dizer que eu deixei o clube por um contrato mais lucrativo, mas não é o caso", continuou o avançado. 

"A oferta que me fizeram e a falta de transparência foram uma mensagem clara para mim. Parece que a direção prefere focar-se noutras coisas que na vontade de vencer. Depois de ajudar o clube a crescer e aumentar a sua reputação, parece que já não sirvo o clube. (...) Teria aceitado menos dinheiro para ficar no Toronto. Por isso, anuncio que contra minha vontade o meu tempo no clube acabou", disparou o jogador para finalizar.

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Toronto has been home to me and my family for almost 5 years. I arrived here from Italy in January 2015 and immediately felt something special. From day one, I worked hard to repay the opportunity that Toronto had given me. From that first year, I realized that we could do great things here. Through hard work, passion and determination my teammates and I transformed TFC and made it one of the best clubs in MLS and in North America. We didn’t do this alone. Without our great fans this would not have been possible. I can confidently say that I significantly contributed in making unprecedented history at TFC. We wrote a new chapter in the club’s history, together. All for One. This journey has been a wonderful experience for my family and me. It’s without hesitation that I can say that I wanted it to end differently. As I have always maintained, I was hoping to renew my contract and finish my playing career in a city that feels like home. It is here where my daughter was born and where my son took his first steps on a football pitch. A place my family loves to live and wanted to call home for good. Unfortunately, this desire of ours has clashed with a change in direction with current TFC management. For the 2 years I have been seeking to extend my contract however management was reluctant. Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable. They may say I left for a more lucrative deal, but this is not the case. Their offer and lack of transparency is a clear message. It seems management prefers to focus on things other than the pure desire to win. After having grown the brand and elevating the overall reputation of TFC both at home and abroad, it seems I no longer serve a purpose. I would have accepted less to stay in Toronto. Therefore, I reluctantly announce that my tenure as a TFC player has come to an end. I will now focus my attention and efforts towards another challenge. With me I bring beautiful memories. Toronto - the 6ix - you are and will always remain in my heart. Thank you for everything you have taught me about myself and about life. I love you Toronto! Seba

Uma publicação partilhada por Sebastian Giovinco (@sebagiovincoofficial) a 30 de Jan, 2019 às 8:53 PST