It will go down as a landmark moment for Major League Soccer. Jack Flaherty . Toronto FC has signed Italian International attacking midfielder/striker Sebastian Giovinco. The marquee signing was officially announced on Monday. Sources say Giovinco, 27, will join Toronto FC on a four-year contract worth $7 million USD annually. It is expected Giovinco will stay with Juventus in Italy until July, although the exact timing of his move has not been confirmed. It is believed that a multi-million dollar transfer fee will be paid for the player. Giovinco has represented Italy 21 times, featuring most recently in a 1-0 win over Albania on November 18. The 55 attacking player, known as the Atomic Ant, has impressive footwork, superior work-rate and genuine talent to star in MLS. Giovinco is a play-maker and natural set-piece taker, scoring one of his two goals last week off a free kick in a 6-1 Juventus win over Verona to advance to quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. Opportunities have been rare this season under manager Massimiliano Allegri, starting only two games. Giovincos desire to feature made it clear his future lay elsewhere with his contract up in the summer. A number of European teams were rumoured to be after Giovinco; a target for many in the January transfer window. He is a player who has excelled when given the chance. Giovinco scored a team best 15 goals and added 11 assists in 2011-12 while on loan at Parma. His signature is an absolute coup for Toronto, reportedly beating the likes of Monaco and a number of Serie A and Premier League teams in the chase. Giovincos agent spent some time in Toronto and was impressed by the city and set-up. It is believed the North American adventure is something Giovinco craved and the opportunity to become a star in MLS beckons. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment were confident in recent days an agreement was reached between club and player, with the signing not official until the last 48 hours. The franchise believes they have done due diligence with the player, educating the newcomer on the significant travel and nuances of MLS that make it difficult for some to adapt. Giovinco is said to undaunted by the challenge and excited by the move. The spotlight he covets and the ability to shine are there for the taking. The signing of Giovinco is culmination of weeks of work for Toronto FC. The plan was always to replace the out-going Jermain Defoe with two players of significance. Toronto FC has done just that this week with the arrival of US National team striker Jozy Altidore Friday, and now Giovinco. Toronto FC has gone above and beyond in establishing a new core for the present and the future. MLS has always been a league reliant on attracting marquee names in the twilight of their careers. A player like Giovinco is exactly what MLS had in mind in allowing Designated Players; attacking players in their prime, appealing to both the casual and devoted soccer fan. The move screams credibility. MLS is said to be very happy with Toronto FCs capture. The move for Toronto FC is another statement of intent. The pomp and circumstance of previous big name transfers will not come with this; rather the focus should be on substance. Toronto FC now has a core of three Designated Players in Giovinco, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore all in their 20s (27, 27, 25). This core is capable of staying together for the foreseeable future, establishing the kind of consistency Toronto FC has desperately lacked. MLSE firmly believes in soccer as a growth property, with a $105 million dollar stadium expansion further evidence to the upside. Toronto FCs squad will continue to take shape in the coming days. The biggest question mark is what happens with Gilberto. The acquisition of Giovinco means Toronto FC will have four Designated Players on the books; only three are allowed in MLS. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement is being negotiated at present time. There has been little indication that adding a fourth Designated Player is priority. If the idea is tabled in negotiations, it makes sense for Toronto FC would support such an initiative. It is believed Toronto FC still thinks highly of the Brazilian striker. The chance to add Altidore and Giovinco were opportunities too good to pass up on. Its consensus across MLS there would be a trade market for Gilberto. The 25-year-old improved as the season wore on, scoring seven goals in 28 MLS appearances. MLS requires Gilberto to be off Torontos roster before the first game of the season. Gareth Wheeler can be reached at: @WheelerTSN gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Cheap Cardinals Jerseys . The unrestricted free agent agreed to terms with the club on Thursday on a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000. Wholesale Custom Cardinals Shirts . Granato was an assistant for the Pittsburgh Penguins for the last five seasons, and he was also part of Team USAs staff at the 2014 Olympics.Paul Clement has worked with some of the best players of recent years - so we challenged him to pick his dream team. On the Fantasy Football Club, Max Rushden and Paul Merson asked the former Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid coach to name the best XI of players he has coached.Heres Clements selection, based on their form when he coached them - and its quite a side! GOALKEEPER - Petr Cech CLEMENT SAYS: He could do everything; crosses, shot-stopper, tactically good and good with his feet as well. He had great leadership and he was a very serious professional.RIGHT-BACK - Sergio Ramos CLEMENT SAYS: He has the versatility to play right-back. He is one of my favourite players Ive worked with. He had incredible talent, but also fantastic personality and charisma as well.CENTRE-BACK - Thiago Silva CLEMENT SAYS: He is a player, in my opinion, who could have played for any of the big clubs in the world at this time in that position. Tactically, he is excellent and he has that Brazilian flair about him.CENTRE-BACK - John Terry CLEMENT SAYS: It was a pleasure to work with John. He was one of a rare breed who came through the ranks at the club. When hes not there at Chelsea or suspended or injured for a game, its just not Chelsea. Along with Tony Adams, he is the best central defender to have played in the Premier League. The Fantasy FC Podcast - 21st April LEFT-BACK - Ashley Cole CLEMENT SAYS: He was a fantastic player for both Arsenal and Chelsea. He could do both sides of the game brilliantly well. He was a ferocious defender, but also a real talent going forward.MIDFIELD - Xabi Alonso CLEMENT SAYS:: He revolutionised this position. Dexter Fowler. He was a playmaker, a quarter-back if you like in the way he was so crisp with his passing. Because he was not very strong, he made up for it in other ways. If you are quick in the brain and have technique you can play at the highest level.MIDFIELD - Luka Modric CLEMENT SAYS: Luka made the transition from Tottenham to Real Madrid fantastically. He is loved by the fans there, not only because he is a great footballer, but because of the physical effort he puts in.MIDFIELD - Frank Lampard CLEMENT SAYS: He was so consistent. For five or six years at Chelsea, he scored 20 a year. He was getting more goals than the strikers. He had a fantastic ability to arrive in the box at the right time.FORWARD - Gareth Bale CLEMENT SAYS: I worked with Gareth when he moved from Tottenham to Madrid. It wasnt easy coming from England to Spain with the language and Id like to think I helped him. He surprised me with how good he was.FORWARD - Zlatan Ibrahimovic CLEMENT SAYS: One day, he asked me: What am I like compared to Drogba? I was trying to be political and say he was great with his back to goal, but youve got other strengths. He looked at me and said: Im the best youve ever worked with.FORWARD - Cristiano Ronaldo CLEMENT SAYS: I think Ive left the best to last. He is outstanding. Of all the players I have worked with, he was at the very top of his game. A Ballon dOr winner with 50+ goals season after season after season. A wonderful professional and great guy. Ive worked with one of the best ever.Tune in to see more from Paul Clement on The Fantasy Football Club, 6pm, Friday, Sky Sports 1. Also See: More from The FantasyFC Michael ONeills #One2Eleven Merse: Martinez must show bottle Ian Holloway: In The Picture ' ' '