Inter Miami sign ex-MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo from Toronto
Alejandro Pozuelo won the Landon Donovan MVP award in 2020. Angel Marchini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Inter Miami has completed the signing of former Major League Soccer MVP Alejandro Pozuelo from Toronto FC in a $150,000 deal, the club announced on Thursday. Pozuelo, who has twice been included in MLS' team of the season, will occupy an International Roster slot and a Designated Player slot. - Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access "We're thrilled to be able to welcome a player of Alejandro's caliber. He has proven himself to be one of the brightest talents in the league and we are confident that will continue here in South Florida," Sporting Director Chris Henderson said in a statement. "We were looking to add a decisive, creative attacking player and we feel he fits the profile." Pozuelo, 30, enjoyed spells at Real Betis, Swansea City, Rayo Vallecano and Genk before moving to Toronto in 2019. He scored 29 goals in 99 games in all competitions during his three-year spell in Canada, where he helped the side to the 2019 MLS Cup final. The highlight of Pozuelo's time at Toronto came in December 2020 when he won the Landon Donovan MVP award. "We believe Alejandro will fit right in with our group. He's a player of tremendous quality that we feel can be a real game changer for us," head coach Phil Neville said. "We can't wait to integrate him into the squad and are looking forward to seeing him on the pitch in Inter Miami colors."
Inter Miami looks to Pozuelo to create goals. Toronto FC looks to the future
Inter Miami coach Phil Neville called the acquisition of Toronto FC star Alejandro Pozuelo a statement, although it is unclear how long the Spanish playmaker will call the Sunshine State home. For Toronto FC, the sale is a story yet to be told. Toronto confirmed the departure of Pozuelo on Thursday, in exchange for US$150,000 in general allocation money ($75,000 in 2022 in $75,000 in ‘23), with more to come if certain performance-based metrics are met. It’s a modest return on a former league MVP, although Miami sporting director Chris Henderson said Toronto could net “somewhere between $50,000 and hundreds of thousands” more depending how well Miami does with the Spaniard. TFC will also retain a sell-on percentage if Pozuelo is sold to a club outside MLS. But more importantly, Pozuelo’s departure opens a designated player spot for Toronto with Italian international Federico Bernardeschi believed to be in the club’s sights. Bernardeschi is out of contract after five seasons with Juventus.
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