Toronto FC sign Raoul Petretta from Turkish side Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü | OneFootball

Toronto FC have strengthened their defensive options with the signing of left-back Raoul Petretta from Turkish top-flight club Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü.

The former Italy youth international arrives on a three-year contract through the 2025 MLS season with a club option on 2026, with TFC using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to complete the transfer.

“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,” Toronto FC head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley said in a club 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 Germany, Petretta is a product of the FC Basel youth system and went on to make 152 senior appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists, while also winning the 2016/17 Swiss Super League and two Swiss Cups.

The 25-year-old moved to Kasımpaşa midway through 2022 and played 12 times for the Turkish club, notching one goal and one assist.

Petretta fills a position of need for TFC, who have lost both Domenico Criscito and Luca Petrasso this off-season.

The Reds are looking to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023 after missing out in the last two seasons, turning in consecutive 13th-place finishes in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto begin the new campaign away at DC United on February 25.