Andrea Pirlo has completed his move to New York City FC. The 36-year old Italian midfielder joins the MLS Franchise from Juventus. The Italian champions agreed to end his contract a year early so he could NYCFC; he has signed a two and half year deal with the club. Pirlo becomes the clubs third designated player, joining Frank Lampard and David Villa.
Bienvenido Maestro @Pirlo_official!!!#WelcomePirlo!!! @NYCFC pic.twitter.com/Io9V2wlub4
— David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) July 6, 2015
Andrea Pirlo is a footballing icon, winning six Scudetto’s with Juventus and AC Milan, two Champions League titles with AC Milan and also winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006. After signing for Juventus on a free transfer in 2011, Pirlo went on to win the Scudetto four times, two Italian Super Cups and a Coppa Italia, appearing 164 times, scoring 19 goals with 35 assists. Last season Pirlo came close to winning the treble with the ‘Old Lady’, winning the Scudetto and the Copa Italia but failing to win the Champions League, losing 3-1 to Barcelona in the final.
This is a major signing for the MLS, not only is Pirlo a big attraction and will bring more revenue to the club through shirt sales etc. Pirlo still has a lot to offer on the field, he scored 4 goals in 20 appearances in the Serie A last season and he was a focal point in the success of the Juventus team. Pirlo is also a set piece master, 15 of his 19 goals for Juventus were free-kicks.
Pirlo will officially join the club on the 21st July; he is likely to make his debut on the 26th July against Houston Dynamo.
