Domenico Criscito to Toronto off – Genoa captain wants to help fight relegation

Summer deal instead? 

This article first appeared on March 2 and has since been updated with new information. 

Major League Soccer side Toronto FC will have to wait to add Domenico Criscito. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on March 2 that a deal was agreed between the player and the Reds. The 35-year-old Genoa captain was expected to join immediately on a free transfer and sign a two-year contract with TFC. 

Toronto FC are closing on Domenico Criscito deal from Genoa, he’s expected to join immediately. Genoa board member Andres Blazquez confirms: “Our captain Criscito has received an important proposal, it’s true”. #MLS

The decision has been already made. He’s joining Toronto.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 2, 2022

Update March 7: On Monday, Gianluca Di Marzio reported that a deal was now off, with Criscito wanting to stay and help Genoa fight relegation. Both sides might revisit a deal in the summer when the 35-year-old’s contract is set to expire. 

Genoa, in the meantime, confirmed on Wednesday that a transfer was close. “Our captain Criscito has received an important proposal, it’s true,” Genoa board member Andres Blazquez said (quoted by Romano). Criscito has been an important part of Genoa this season, scoring five goals and one assist in his first 12 Serie A games this season. But the defender has been in and out of the squad with injuries since November and has not played since December 21 (injury history). 

With their captain’s injury history in mind, Genoa decided to move in a different direction, opening the door for an immediate transfer. Criscito, who has played 269 games for Genoa (29 goals and 13 assists) and 224 games for Russian club Zenit (20 goals and 29 assists) is expected to bolster TFC’s backline immediately adding center-back and wing-back depth to Bob Bradley’s squad. 

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