Sebastian Giovinco to join Sampdoria on Monday after 1-year absence from football

Sebastian Giovinco will be joining Sampdoria on Monday, as he completes a return home to Italy. The player is currently without a club after he was released from contract by Al-Hilal. 

The 35-year-old was rumoured to be on the verge of a comeback to the MLS, but is instead returning to Serie A, where he started out his career. The player will be signing a six-month contract with Sampdoria, as they try to avoid relegation this year. 

Sebastian Giovinco to return to Serie A 

The forward came through the ranks with Juventus and Parma, scoring 40 goals and providing 38 assists in 140 appearances across multiple spells for both clubs. 

However, Sebastian Giovinco made a name for himself most prominently in the MLS, playing for Toronto FC. The striker has finished as the MLS MVP and top scorer once each, achieving both feats in the 14/15 season. He scored 68 goals and provided 41 assists in 114 league appearances in America. 

There were rumours that he could be heading back to Toronto for a reunion, but those have been squashed after Sampdoria swooped in to sign him. But if he signs a six-month contract with the Serie A club, he could still return to Toronto FC this year in the summer. 

He has not played professionally for a year, since his release in the summer of 2021. He has earned 23 caps for the Italian national team, and at the age of 35, can still spend a while at the top level if he wishes to do so.