Toronto FC adds to its defence by signing Raoul Petretta from Turkish side

Toronto FC added to its defence Tuesday by signing former Italian youth worldwide Raoul Petretta from Turkey’s Kasimpasa Spor Kulubu.

Toronto used focused allocation cash to signal the 25-year-old by way of 2025 with an possibility for 2026.

Petretta fills the void left by fellow Italian Domenico Criscito, who left after the 2022 season to rejoin his former membership Genoa.

Petretta, whose dad and mom are initially from Italy, joined Kasimpasa in July and appeared in 12 matches throughout all competitions. Before that he spent 4 seasons in Switzerland with FC Basel, making 152 appearances with 10 targets and 12 assists in all competitions.

During his time with Basel, Petretta noticed motion within the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League and gained the Swiss Super League (2016-17) and the Swiss Cup (2016-17 and 2018-19).

“Raoul is an experienced young left-back who established himself in a strong European club and has gained experience playing at a high level in European competitions with FC Basel,” Bob Bradley, Toronto’s head coach and sporting director, stated in a press release.

“He is a smart passer, disciplined defender, and has the work rate to get up and down the left flank consistently. We are excited to have him join Toronto FC and strengthen our backline.”

Born in Rheinfelden, Germany, Petretta began his profession with Basel in 2005, rising by way of the youth ranks to make his professional debut in April 2017.

The five-foot-nine 152-pounder made his debut with the Italian under-21 group in a pleasant towards Portugal in May 2018.

Petretta, who joined TFC at its coaching camp in San Diego on Tuesday, joins defender Matt Hedges and ahead Adama Diomande as newcomers this season. Toronto has additionally introduced again attacking midfielder Victor Vazquez, who left the group in January 2019 to affix a membership in Qatar earlier than returning to MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

MLS groups can use focused allocation cash to signal a brand new participant supplied his wage and acquisition prices are greater than the league’s most wage price range cost, which was US$612,500 final season.