Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco joins Al-Hilal, slams former club in exit

Sebastian Giovinco has hit out at former employers Toronto FC after being sold to Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal on Wednesday.

Earlier reports that the fee for the deal is between $2 million and $3 million are accurate, a league source has confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Carlisle.

Sources have also confirmed that a deal has been done to bring in United States international Terrance Boyd, currently playing the German second division for Darmstadt 98, as Giovinco's replacement on the TFC roster.

Giovinco, 32, was in the last year of his contract with Toronto and had left the team's training camp in California earlier this week.

"I'd like to thank the fans and my teammates for four special years playing for Toronto FC," Giovinco said in a statement from the club.

"I'd also like to thank the club for helping me as I transition into the next phase of my career."

Later, Giovinco took to Instagram to provide more detail -- and a different tone.

"As I have always maintained, I was hoping to renew my contract and finish my playing career in a city that feels like home. ... A place my family loves to live and wanted to call home for good," he wrote.

"Unfortunately, this desire of ours has clashed with a change in direction with current TFC management. For the 2 years I have been seeking to extend my contract however management was reluctant. Recently, after refusing to exercise the club option for 2020, I was offered terms that I deemed unacceptable. They may say I left for a more lucrative deal, but this is not the case. Their offer and lack of transparency is a clear message. It seems management prefers to focus on things other than the pure desire to win.

"After having grown the brand and elevating the overall reputation of TFC both at home and abroad, it seems I no longer serve a purpose. I would have accepted less to stay in Toronto."