Former star forward Sebastian Giovinco rejoins Toronto FC in front-office role

The Atomic Ant is back with Toronto FC.

Former star striker Sebastian Giovinco, the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 83 goals, has rejoined the MLS club as a special adviser and team ambassador.

Toronto made the announcement hours before Saturday's regular-season finale against league-leading Inter Miami at BMO Field. The team teased Giovinco's return via social media earlier in the week with the smiling Italian promising "something special" would be announced at the Miami game.

"After collaborating for some time, we are happy to have formalized this new role and look forward to Seba beginning this new chapter with us," GM Jason Hernandez said in a statement. "His contributions on and off the field have left an everlasting impact on our club, and we are confident his experience in the game will bring substantial value to our organization as we move forward."

Giovinco, now 37, spent four seasons in Toronto colours (2015 through 2018), helping the club win the Canadian Championship, Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup in 2017.

In his first season in North America, the former Juventus attacker won the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award, MLS Golden Boot and MLS Newcomer of the Year Award after being directly involved in 65 per cent of Toronto's 58 goals with 22 goals and 16 assists.

The five-foot-four Italian was named to the MLS Best XI three times (2015, 2016, 2017), and was an MLS all-star in all four of his seasons in the league.

Giovinco also won the George Gross Memorial Trophy as Canadian Championship MVP (2017), CONCACAF Champions League Golden Ball (2018) and made both the CONCACAF and CONCACAF Champions League Best XI (2018).

In December 2020, Giovinco was named to Major League Soccer's list of 25 greatest players,