Toronto adopted a bizarre method when signing Italy superstar Lorenzo Insigne this month, after the club turned to football website Transfermarkt.
In a surprise transfer, Insigne, 30, moved from boyhood club Napoli to Canada, and club president Bill Manning has shed light on how he sealed the deal.
Indeed, he revealed he came cross the forward online, having searched the database for players who were about to become free agents.
'I looked up the Italian national team on what players were coming out of contract,' he told the Toronto Sun.
'And Lorenzo Insigne was one of a few players that was coming out of contract.
'I started writing down players that I thought were world class, that I thought would have commercial value in this market.
'I then presented to the MLSE board a five-year vision on what we need to do to reinvigorate our club. And Lorenzo Insigne was the first name on that list.'
Insigne spent 16 years with Napoli in total but will now play his football in MLS under Bob Bradley, and will become the highest paid player in the competition from July.
He has penned a pre-contract agreement, and will sign a four-year deal.
Transfermarkt is an in-depth website which reveals information about players and clubs, including the latest on transfer news and the value of players.
Reportedly, Insigne will earn £155,000-per-week with Toronto, and his contract is also said to include another £3.6million in potential add-ons.