The latest Italian recruit to Toronto FC, Domenico Criscito, was formally introduced on Wednesday afternoon at the BMO Training Ground.

“I'm very happy to be here,” he said through a translator. “It's already a great experience and I can't wait to be available for the first game on Saturday, to be available for the team and help my teammates.”

A player of vast experience in his native Italy, primarily with Genoa CFC, and in Russia with Zenit Saint Petersburg, ‘Mimmo’ arrives in Toronto alongside Lorenzo Insigne and ready for a new challenge. 

Coming to North America after a career in Europe is always a big step. When the opportunity first presented itself, it wasn’t the right time.

“It's been certainly a difficult decision,” he explained. “I've been with Genoa since I was 15 years old. My wife is from Genoa, my kids were born in Genoa, so my whole life has been in Genoa basically.”

“But when TFC called, I took the chance,” Criscito continued. “It's a great team, so I just can't wait to start.”

As captain for Il Grifone he wanted to see out the campaign before deciding on his future.

“I had the first opportunity to talk with TFC back in March, but at the time Genoa wasn’t in a good spot and because I was the captain, I didn't feel like it was the right time for me to leave,” Criscito outlined. “At the end of the season, we reopened talks and the signing of the contract was pretty quick.”

“My teammates were happy for me, for this new opportunity,” he continued. “I knew MLS from before, other great players that came here. The whole championship is growing very much.”

Life over here is a change, the spotlight not as harsh, but not entirely.

“Certainly it feels different, but I've met a lot of Italians in this first week that I've been here,” Criscito smiled. “It's always nice to be recognized and to take pictures with the fans. It's part of the job.”

And the aim remains the same: to win matches.

“The main goal is to go back to where the team was before and to compete at the highest levels,” he emphasized.

The 35-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to a young side.

“I’ve played at very high levels. I want to bring that experience here on and off the field,” stressed Criscito. “For sure I can give my experience as a captain to all the players, but especially for the younger players. Since the first training, I can see that they're very receptive and I can give my experience to them through some knowledge.”

Just a week into his TFC career, that has been noticeable. 

“Mimmo is a real professional,” said Bob Bradley. ‘Has a good way about him, his English is pretty good. He and Lorenzo have a very good friendship, so it also helps there. On the field, off the field, Mimmo carries himself in an excellent way and already you can say that he's a good guy to work with every day.”

On Friday, Alex Bono reflected on the first days with Criscito and Insigne around the club.

“It's been good. Obviously, some big names, some big personalities. It'll take time to adjust and ingrain them in the group, but they both seem like good guys in our limited experience so far,” he said. “We're excited to have them. With their resumes and the abilities that they've shown throughout their careers they can't add anything but positive things. We can't wait for them to gain full fitness and start helping us out.”

The club has known Insigne would be arriving for some time and Criscito was long-rumoured to be joining him, but having them in place is different.

“I heard some of the guys talking, ‘We were pretty excited for before...,’” recounted Bono. “It's a big deal for the club and for the community, for the fans, but they enter the locker room, [they’re] there on game day, they both come in after the game on Wednesday [against Columbus], and their presence is just... You feel like you're in the presence of of guys who have a lot of experience, a lot of personality, a lot to share with the group.”

“And for me, that's the most exciting part: to be able to – for the young guys especially and for all of us – take pieces from their experiences, as well as enjoy being on the field with two great players with two incredible resumes and two incredible profiles,” he continued. “That's exciting for me; it's exciting for the group. Their presence has been felt and I think it will continue to be as they work into the group.”

Bradley highlighted one other element of Criscito’s career.

“Not only his experience with the national team and playing for a long time, but the fact that he also has experience playing outside of Italy, when he was at Zenit,” he said on Friday. “His understanding of when you come to a new league, new country, those challenges.”

He will help Insigne with those hurdles; they will help each other.

“We've known each other – and our families have known each other – for a long time now,” said Criscito. “It would be easier for us to settle in having each other.”

While Insigne’s debut has been pushed back with lingering calf discomfort – July 23 at home against Charlotte FC is the date pencilled in by Bradley – Criscito could line up as soon as Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Field.

“It is going to take a few weeks to get [Insigne] ready,” said the TFC coach. “There's always hope that things can move faster. We’re trying to formulate a really good plan so that we can get him healthy and fit on the field, but also that once he's there, he's staying there.”

“Criscito has been in training. It's the first days of physically pushing things after some time off, but he's arrived in good shape,” he continued. “He will be available for the game and we'll see. Today was a harder day of training and we'll see how he feels tomorrow and what that means.”

Bradley appreciates the versatility Criscito brings: “His main positions are left back, left centre back in a four, or left centre back when you play three. He’s played all those positions, so he gives us good versatility.”

It’s not often a club can bring in a pair of players with the pedigree of Criscito and Insigne. Both captains of their former clubs, each was their side’s penalty taker. 

Who will be taking them for TFC remains to be seen.

Criscito has an opinion, expressed in English with a laugh: “I would fight with him.”