Toronto FC announced today that the club has signed Italian international defender Domenico Criscito using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) through 2023. Criscito will occupy an international roster slot and will join the club pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
“Mimmo is a player who will add valuable veteran presence to our team,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “He has played in a number of important games for his club and country in his career, has been a captain at Genoa, and we're excited he will be joining our club.”
Criscito, 35, will join Toronto FC after spending the past 15 seasons split between Genoa CFC and Football Club Zenit (Zenit), where he made a combined 498 appearances scoring 50 goals across top European competitions, including Serie A, Russian Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League.
Criscito recently played the last four seasons (2019-2022) with Genoa, where he made 109 appearances and scored 20 goals in his third and latest stint with the Italian club. Criscito spent seven years with Russian top-flight club Zenit, where he made 224 appearances and scored 20 goals in all competitions (Russian Premier Liga, Russian Cup, Russian Super Cup, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League). In seven seasons with Zenit, Criscito won three titles including: the Russian Premier Liga (2011/2012 and 2014/2015), the Russian Cup (2015/2016) and the Russian Super Cup (2015 and 2016).
“Mimmo is a versatile defender who is a very good passer and a smart player,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Sporting Director Bob Bradley. “He can play as a left back or a center back and should be an excellent role model for our young players.”
Criscito began his professional career with Genoa, where he made his debut in Serie B in June 2003 at the age of 16. Criscito joined Serie A team Juventus in 2015, where he made nine appearances before he went on loan to Genoa in 2008. During his second spell with Genoa, Criscito appeared in 125 matches and registered six goals.
Internationally, Criscito represented his country at the U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 categories, including the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. He made his debut for the senior team in a friendly game against Switzerland on August 12, 2009. He made 26 appearances in competitions including: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (UEFA), 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship qualifying and UEFA Nations League matches.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC sign Italian international defender Domenico Criscito using Targeted Allocation Order (TAM) through 2023.
DOMENICO CRISCITO
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Birthdate: December 30, 1986 (Age – 35)
Birthplace: Cercola, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Previous Club: Genoa CFC
