Where does Giovinco rank among the best MLS imports?

A leading contributor to the continued growth of MLS has been the improved quality of the league's foreign imports.

Once considered a final stop for seasoned stars, the North American top flight has benefited from an influx of international players on the ascendancy, including Sebastian Giovinco, who joined Toronto FC as he was establishing his peak powers in 2015.

The diminutive Italian bid adieu to the 2017 MLS Cup champions on Wednesday, marking the end of a decorated four-year spell.

With David Beckham's trailblazing move to Los Angeles, and the subsequent formation of the Designated Player role signaling a new generation of foreign stars, where does Giovinco rank among the league's greatest imports in the post-Beckham era?

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy)

• Years: 2018-present (27 league appearances)
• Accolades: All-Star (2018), Newcomer of the Year (2018)

Few players have arrived in MLS with the adroitness or measured fury of Swedish legend Ibrahimovic. His two-goal appearance off the bench in the El Trafico versus LAFC included the most obscene debut goal in league history - a 45-yard half-volley that induced a frenzied response at the StubHub Center - and the game-winner in extra time.

Ibrahimovic bagged 22 goals in 27 appearances, including a fitting acrobatic finish against Toronto in September to register his 500th career goal for club and country. A small sample size, sure, but a dazzling debut and ensuing run of form is enough to land Ibrahimovic among the seven best.

6. Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

• Years: 2010-2014 (122 league appearances)
• Accolades: All-Star (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Arsenal legend Henry marked MLS' second prestigious signing when he moved from Barcelona midway through the 2010 campaign. The arrival of the slick-dribbling Frenchman was twofold in its impact: New York Red Bulls had their creative talisman, and the league had an icon of the sport playing for one of its marquee outfits.

Henry dazzled with New York, collecting 51 goals and 13 assists in 122 league matches, which featured a slew of extraordinary individual moments, including a stunning Olimpico. Like a gazelle darting through pylons, Henry made it look effortless on the pitch.

5. Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)

• Years: 2017-present (54 league appearances)
• Accolades: MLS Cup (2018), MVP (2018), All-Star (2018)

Like Giovinco, Venezuelan goal machine Martinez landed in North America with a point to prove following an underwhelming spell in the Piedmont capital. Martinez hit the ground running in his first season with expansion side Atlanta United, scoring 19 times in 20 league outings.

But the 2017 season would only be a precursor for what was arguably the most impressive individual campaign in MLS history, during which Martinez bagged a league-record 31 goals in 34 games to collect MVP honors. He was also named MVP of the 2018 MLS Cup final, in which the pint-sized package opened the scoring in the 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers.

4. Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)

• Years: 2013-present (171 league appearances)
• Accolades: All-Star (2014, 2018), Golden Boot (2014, 2016)

What Red Bulls leader Wright-Phillips lacked in star power upon his arrival, he has since made up for with an astounding goal return of 106, which places the 33-year-old eighth all time. The Manchester City academy product's average of 0.62 goals per game is tops in MLS history.

Son of Crystal Palace and Arsenal legend Ian Wright, BWP turned an erratic stretch with Southampton, Plymouth Argyle, and Charlton into one of the best individual careers in MLS history, and provided a perfect transition for Red Bulls after Henry's departure.

3. Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)

• Years: 2012-2016 (125 league appearances)
• Accolades: MLS Cup (2011, 2012, 2014), MVP (2014), All-Star (2015)

It took Keane all of 21 minutes to open his Galaxy account. Such goal-scoring prowess became the norm during the Irishman's celebrated spell in L.A., for which he collected 83 goals and 45 assists over 125 league fixtures.

A trio of MLS Cup conquests further boosts the profile of a player who put on an otherworldly display on his way to 2014 MVP honors, as Keane and Beckham formed the centerpiece of an unparalleled side during its most successful stretch.

2. David Villa (NYCFC)

• Years: 2015-2018 (124 league appearances)
• Accolades: MVP (2016), All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Considering NYCFC's dalliances with Designated Players (Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo), nabbing Spain's all-time leading scorer on a free transfer ahead of the club's MLS debut in 2014 established a standard. Justly so, Villa was handed the captain's armband, and where other European elites stumbled, the former Barcelona man excelled.

Team distinctions escaped a player who was often tasked with partnering with inferior talent, though, from an individual perspective, Villa's MLS career is top class. He bagged an eye-popping 55 goals through his first 83 matches on the way to 80 tallies in 124 league affairs, and the 2016 MVP made a legitimate case to become the first player to repeat as the league's best before losing out to Diego Valeri in 2017.

1. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

• Years: 2015-2018 (114 league appearances)
• Accolades: MLS Cup (2017), MVP (2015), Golden Boot (2015), All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Giovinco's arrival in Toronto signaled the dawn of TFC's most decorated era, and for the Atomic Ant, his best period as a professional following six years with Juventus and another three on loan with Empoli and Parma. The 23-time capped Italy international kicked off the 2015 campaign with a chip on his shoulder, and it would prove to be his best individual season, as he recorded a league-best 22 goals and collected the MVP award.

Giovinco would go on to appear in two MLS Cup finals - winning the 2017 installment after narrowly missing out on penalties the previous year - before nabbing the CONCACAF Champions League best player nod in 2018.

Honorable mentions: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact), Wayne Rooney (D.C. United)