Gilardino Toronto-bound as Italian MLS legion grows

Alberto Gilardino appears set to become the latest Italy international to join Major League Soccer with reports he will sign with Toronto.

The Genoa striker has been linked with Toronto since November, with the MLS side keen to add two new forwards before the 2014 season.

Toronto’s plan is to sign a high-profile striker to become the face of the club, while they will also recruit an up-and-coming forward, who has the potential to become a genuine top-line attacker.

The Toronto Star have reported Portuguesa striker Gilberto Oliveira Souza Jr could be the latter option for the Canadian club, while reports from Italy suggest Gilardino has all but signed on the dotted line as the outfit’s marquee forward.

While Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe has been the front runner to join Toronto as their high-profile striker, Sky Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has written on his personal website that Gilardino has ‘formalised’ a deal with the MLS side.

If Gilardino signs with Toronto, he will join Montreal Impact’s Marco Di Vaio and Matteo Ferrari as former Italian national team members in the MLS.