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Andrea Pirlo to Join New York City FC as Third Designated Player

July 6, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


NEW YORK | New York City FC are delighted to announce the signing of World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner Andrea Pirlo. One of the most decorated and respected midfielders in soccer, Pirlo will become the team's third Designated Player and arrives to New York City FC on a free transfer from Juventus, 2015 UEFA Champions League Finalists.

Pirlo joins the Club on July 21 and will be available for selection immediately following that. Pirlo teams up with fellow Designated Players: David Villa, a World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner, and UEFA Champions League winner Frank Lampard completing a decorated international trio, who have had a huge impact on European soccer for over a decade.

In an exclusive interview with NYCFC.com, Pirlo said:

"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."

"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 has spent his entire professional career in Italy and is renowned for his incredible passing range and set piece ability. In nearly 700 matches at club level he has won two Champions League titles, and has won the Italian title six times.

He has 115 caps for Italy and was part of the 2006 World Cup winning squad.

Speaking to NYCFC.com, Kreis said:

"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."

Those words were echoed by New York City FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna, who added:

"In Andrea Pirlo we are getting one of the most recognized and influential players in world soccer. We are building something incredibly special in New York; with a blend of exciting and experienced players who are known all over the world and with some fantastic young talent, who will only benefit from being around individuals like Andrea, David Villa and Frank Lampard. The greatest privilege of all will be to watch this team play in front of our incredible fans at Yankee Stadium."

Pirlo will be officially added to New York City FC roster upon receipt of his P1 visa and ITC.

Having surpassed 17,000 founding members, New York City FC is releasing 1,500 new Season tickets locations to see Andrea Pirlo and New York City FC's inaugural season in MLS. These seats are on sale now. Call 855-77-NYCFC or visit www.nycfc.com/tickets to order online.

Andrea Pirlo by the Numbers:

Bio

Age: 36

Birthday: May 19, 1979

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'9 (1.77m)

Weight: 150 lbs (68kg)

Place of birth: Flero, Italy

Playing career

Brescia: 1995-98

Inter Milan: 1998-01

- Loan to Reggina: Sept. 1999

- Loan to Brescia: Jan. 2000

AC Milan: 2001-11

Juventus: 2011-14

Honors

UEFA European U-21 Championship: 2000 (top goalscorer with 3; team captain; named tournament's Golden Player)

Coppa Italia: 2002-03

Champions League: 2002-2003, 2006-07

European Super Cup: 2003

Olympics bronze medal: Athens 2004

Italian Championship: 2003-04, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15

World Cup: 2006

European Super Cup: 2007

FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Serie A Player of the Year: 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14

Serie A Team of the Season: 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14

Italian Super Cup: 2012, 2013

Italian Cup: 2014-15

Made his Serie A debut as a 16-year-old with Brescia during the 1994-95 campaign.

Played in 20 Serie A matches (19 starts) for Juventus during 2014-15 season with 4 goals (all from outside the box) on 8 shots on target. Added 5 assists.

10 starts in Champions League in 2014-15 (1 goal)

2 starts in Coppa Italia in 2014-15

1 start in Supercoppa Italiana in 2014-15

Most recently played in Italy's 1-0 international friendly against Portugal in Geneva on June 16.

Made his international debut for Italy against Azerbaijan on Sept. 7, 2002

Has 115 Caps for Italy with 13 goals.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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