Major League Soccer announced that Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco has been named as the 2015 MLS Newcomer of the Year.
The Newcomer of the Year Award was voted on by MLS club management, media, and MLS players. The award honors a player in his first MLS season who had prior professional experience, making him ineligible for Rookie of the Year honors. Giovinco became the first player in club history to win the award. This marks the second individual award for Giovinco this season after he claimed the 2015 Audi Golden Boot award.
Joining Toronto FC from Italian powerhouse Juventus in January 2015, Giovinco set a new MLS single-season record for most combined goals plus assists (38) and led Toronto to its first-ever playoff appearance in his historic debut season.
The Italian international claimed the 2015 Audi Golden Boot with 22 goals scored in 33 regular-season matches, capturing the trophy via tiebreaker as his league-leading 16 assists beat out Columbus Crew SC forward Kei Kamara, who also finished with 22 tallies.
His 16 assists made him the top helper in MLS in 2015, just ahead of Philadelphia Union’s Christian Maidana, who finished with 15. Giovinco’s 22 goals and 16 assists this season make him the first player in the history of the league to lead MLS in both categories.
Giovinco was involved in two or more goals during the same game 12 times this season – the most of any player in MLS history. He is also the first player in league history to top 20 goals and 10 assists in one season.
Giovinco won back-to-back MLS Player of the Month awards for July and August. He was also named MLS Player of the Week three times this past season.
There are roumors that Spanish giants FC Barcelona wll make an attempt to secure Giovinco’s services after his great record this season with Toronto FC, 22 goals and 16 assists.
The 28-year-old remains a finalist for the MLS Most Valuable Player Award, which will be announced on December 2. Giovinco goes up against Sporting Kansas City’s Benny Feilhaber and the Columbus Crew’s Kei Kamara for the MVP.
From : SS.com
