One of the most celebrated players in the world could be headed to Major League Soccer, with Spanish outlet AS reporting on Wednesday that longtime Italy and Juventus star Andrea Pirlo has accepted an offer to join New York City FC this summer.
Pirlo, 36, will play in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, when Juventus take on Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and FC Barcelona in Berlin.
Now in his fourth season with Juve, Pirlo said recently in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that he intends to keep playing beyond this season, even if his time in Turin comes to an end.
"I won't stop playing; I'll go on as long as I have the same great desire to keep training every day," Pirlo said at the time. "Juventus will be my last Serie A team, whatever happens. MLS could be an idea, but for the moment I don't have anything; Juve are the only thing on my mind.”
Pirlo’s decorated career includes three World Cups, the 2006 World Cup title, three European Championship appearances, six Serie A titles, two Champions League crowns and two appearances at the Olympics. He was called into the Italian national team squad as recently as last October and has five goals in 30 appearances for Juventus across all competitions this season.
New York City FC currently have two Designated Players on the books in David Villa and Frank Lampard; the latter will join the team later this month after completing the English Premier League season with sister club Manchester City. NYCFC have repeatedly stated their intention to add a third DP this summer.
