Toronto FC announced today that the club has signed Argentine winger Pablo Piatti as their third Designated Player. Piatti joins Toronto from Spanish La Liga club RCD Espanyol Barcelona (Espanyol) and will be added to the TFC roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). He will leave on Saturday to join TFC at their training camp in Los Angeles as the team prepares for its opening MLS match on February 29 in San Jose.
“Pablo comes to TFC with an exceptional pedigree,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “He brings big game experience to our team, having played in close to 300 games in La Liga, as well as competing in the UEFA Champions League. We believe he’s the type of dynamic player who is going to enhance our attack and TFC fans are really going to enjoy watching him play.”
Piatti, 30, was in his fourth season with Espanyol, where he made 95 appearances, scoring 14 goals and adding 19 assists in all competitions (La Liga, Copa del Rey and Europa League). In May of 2017, Piatti was named to UEFA.com’s Best XI of La Liga 2016-17, a selection which included Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo. He originally joined Espanyol on loan from Valencia CF in 2016, signing a three-year contract in May 2017. Piatti scored on his debut for Espanyol against Sevilla FC on August 16, 2016.
“Pablo is an experienced player that has exceptional character. We believe that he will fit very well within our group,” said Toronto FC General Manager Ali Curtis. “His eagerness to join the team in Los Angeles as quickly as possible is indicative of his team first mentality. By adding Pablo to an existing strong attacking unit, we become a better team.”
Piatti began his career in Argentina in the youth system of Club Estudiantes de la Plata (Estudiantes). In 2006, he made his debut with the first team at the age of 17, when he came off the bench against Newell’s Old Boys and scored the winning goal in injury time. He appeared in 59 matches for Estudiantes, scoring 13 goals in two seasons. Piatti joined Spanish club UD Almería in the summer of 2008, where he played with 2017 MLS MVP Diego Valeri. In three seasons with Almeria, he made 110 appearances registering 23 goals and 11 assists in La Liga and Copa del Rey. In July 2011, Piatti was transferred to Valencia, where he played alongside 2019 MLS Best XI Carles Gil and appeared in 162 matches, registering 23 goals and adding 30 assists across all competitions. Piatti has played more than 300 games between La Liga, Copa del Rey and European competitions with Spanish teams.
Piatti represented the Argentina National team at the youth level. He was part of the squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. He received his only call-up to the senior National team on June 5, 2011, making his debut in a friendly match against Poland in Warsaw.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC has signed winger Pablo Piatti as a Designated Player.
PABLO PIATTI - #7
Position: Winger
Height: 5’4
Weight: 139 lbs.
Birthdate: March 31, 1989 (Age – 30)
Birthplace: Ucacha, Argentina
Nationality: Argentine
Last Club: RCD Espanyol Barcelona
