The much rumored move which evolved into Major League Soccer’s worst-kept secret has finally been made official, and Italian legend Andrea Pirlo will join New York City FC on July 21.
After amassing nearly 700 professional appearances in Italy while winning two UEFA Champions League trophies and six Serie A titles, Pirlo cited New York’s enthusiasm as a main reason behind his decision to join NYCFC.
“I had several opportunities to play outside of Italy,” said the midfielder, “but I never had a doubt in picking New York for the enthusiasm of the people that come to watch the team.
“I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that the opportunity materialized I wanted to take it. This is a Club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the League. I am hoping to win.”
Pirlo joins Frank Lampard and David Villa as the third member of NYCFC to have won a UEFA Champions League title. He also brings a wealth of international experience to New York City in addition to his decorated club career, having made 115 appearances for the Italian National Team and winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This level of talent and experience is exactly what head coach Jason Kreis was looking for in his third Designated Player.
“We have said from the outset that the right player for the third DP slot was worth waiting for. Nobody could question that in Pirlo we are bringing one of the best in the world and one of the finest players to come to MLS. Like David Villa, his final game in Europe was the Champions League Final, which demonstrates a player competing at the highest level of our sport.
“We are getting a player with a competitive spirit and a winning mentality. He’s not only won a World Cup, he was the Serie A Player of the Year in three of the last four seasons,” said Kreis.
The respect between Kreis and Pirlo is mutual, and Pirlo had some encouraging words to say about Kreis and how he expects their relationship to develop.
“I met with the coach, Jason Kreis, and he gave me a fantastic impression of the Club. He has well defined ideas in mind, and I am sure we will get on well and create a good relationship to train well and try to win together.”
Exactly where Andrea Pirlo will line up in a New York City FC midfield that is suddenly overflowing with talent and experience is still a mystery, but his effect on the group will likely be felt immediately.
Both Pirlo and Frank Lampard could not have picked a better time to join NYCFC, as the team have won four of their last five MLS matches and look to finally be learning how to play together after an eleven-match winless streak buried the team near the bottom of the table. Instead of being brought in with the responsibility of digging the team out of a poor run of form, the two Designated Players can focus on riding the current wave of momentum to an even longer run of form as they find their way into the team.
While Frank Lampard is currently training with the team and is expected to play his first match on July 12th against Toronto FC, Andrea Pirlo is set to join the club on July 21 and will be available for selection immediately upon his arrival. He joins Sebastian Giovinco and Marco Di Vaio as the third Italian Designated Player in MLS history.
