Transferred to Al-Hilal FC on Jan. 30, 2019.
PRONUNCIATION: JOE-VIN-KO
Giovinco took MLS by storm in 2015 as he broke the league's record for most combined goals and assists in a season. Short in stature but skillful, inventive and explosively quick, he's registered tremendous second and third seasons. He has rewritten the Reds' record-book, putting up a combined 60 goals and 42 assists across the regular season and playoffs.
OUTSIDE MLS: Giovinco began his career in the Juventus youth system, and made his professional debut for the Old Lady on May 12, 2007 against Bologna, while the club was in Serie B. In July 2007, Giovinco was sent on loan to Italian side Empoli FC. He scored his first goal for Juventus on December 7, 2008 from a free kick against Lecce in a 2-1 victory. Giovinco was again sent on loan to Parma FC in August 2010. Parma held an option to purchase 50 percent of his contract at the end of the loan agreement, and after his impressive form saw him earn his first call to the Italian national team, the club exercised the option to purchase half of his contract. In 2011-12, Giovinco finished as the club’s leader in goals (15) and assists (11) in Serie A play. In two seasons at Parma, Giovinco made a combined 70 appearances, scoring 23 goals, and added 22 assists. In June 2012, Juventus purchased the 50 percent of Giovinco’s contract back from Parma, returning him to Turin for the 2012-13 season. Giovinco played a key role in Juve's progression to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, and scored his first Champions League goal against FC Nordsjaelland in a 4-0 group-stage win.
INTERNATIONAL: To date, Giovinco has earned 21 caps and has scored one goal for the Italian national team. He earned his first cap for Italy on February 9, 2011 in a friendly match against Germany. Giovinco was part of Italy’s second-place finish at the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, and scored his first international goal against Japan in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, where Italy would win the bronze medal. Giovinco has represented Italy at every level since U-16, including the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and at the 2009 U-21 European Championship.
NOTES: MLS All-Star 2015, 2016, 2017... MLS Golden Boot 2015... MLS Newcomer of the Year 2015... MLS MVP 2015.
