Transfer Watch: Italian legend Daniele De Rossi connected to MLS

Daniele De Rossi, AS Roma

Could another Italian international be making his way to Major League Soccer?


Months after Sebastian Giovinco left Juventus to join Toronto FC, Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been linked to MLS, with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reporting on Saturday that the 31-year-old is considering a move to the league.


Toronto, Orlando City SC and New York City FC are reportedly interested in De Rossi, who was famously sent off for elbowing then-US national team striker Brian McBride at the 2006 World Cup.



De Rossi has spent his entire career at Roma, making nearly 350 league appearances for the club since joining the senior team in 2001. He has 100 career caps for Italy, helping the Azzurri to the 2006 World Cup title and appearing for the team at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and 2008 and 2012 European Championships.


He has lined up with Toronto FC’s Giovinco and Michael Bradley in the past, playing with Bradley at Roma during the American midfielder’s year and a half stint at the club and teaming up with Giovinco on the Italian national team.


De Rossi has struggled for playing time at Roma this season, finding himself in and out of head coach Rudi Garcia’s lineup. His current contract with the club runs until the end of the 2015-16 season.