Andrea Pirlo: ‘Maestro’ joins New York City FC

CNN  — 

Andrea Pirlo has brought the curtain down on an illustrious career in Italy and decided to join New York City FC in Major League Soccer.

The Italian playmaker joins up with the David Villa and Frank Lampard to become the last designated player allowed in the squad.

Each MLS club is allowed three Designated Players whose salaries exceed the maximum budget limit.

Pirlo will join the club on July 21 and will be immediately available for selection.

NYCFC were founded in 2013, only started playing in 2015 and are currently seventh out of 10 teams in the Eastern Conference in MLS, winning just five of their 18 matches.

“I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that the opportunity materialized I wanted to take it,” Pirlo said in an interview with his new club.

“This is a club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the league. I am hoping to win.

“I had several opportunities to play outside of Italy, but I never had a doubt in picking New York for the enthusiasm of the people that come watch the team.

“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.”

Pirlo signed for Juventus in the summer of 2011 after his contract at AC Milan expired.

He went on to score 19 goals – 15 of those free-kicks – for the “Old Lady,” “each one a thing of beauty, each one a jewel in his Juve crown,” wrote Juventus on its official website.

The 36-year-old made 164 appearances for the Italian champions in his four years at the club, contributed 35 assists and amassed seven trophies.

He won the Serie A title in each of his four seasons in Turin, as well as one Italian Cup and two Italian Super Cups.

A World Cup winner in 2006, Pirlo earned 115 caps for his country and found the net 13 times.

“Pirlo is a player – a man – who could never be summed up with mere statistics,” read a Juve statement.

“Pirlo is silent charisma, the steadying hand in the middle of the park, the dummy that undoes the opposition defence.

“He’s that unexpected ball that splits the game wide open, the lofted pass that brings a team to its knees.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have shared these four fantastic season with Andrea.

“Thanks for everything, Maestro, and good luck.”

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