According to Carlo Laudisa of Gazzetta dello Sport, Andrea Pirlo is set to quit Juventus immediately and make the move to New York City as soon as possible, rather than do what was expected and wait until at least January to make a trip across the pond to join up with Jason Kreis and NYCFC.
Pirlo looks set to become New York’s third designated player along with Frank Lampard and David Villa, although was rumoured to be waiting until the start of the 2016 Major League Soccer season to make a move over to the Bronx, eager to have a final few months in the black and white of Juventus.
Now, it appears those reports were false and he could make a move when the summer transfer window opens, which is when Lampard is also expected to join up with his new team after spending one final season in England with Manchester City.
Pirlo was spotted with New York and Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano at a recent New York Yankees win over Detroit Tigers, and afterwards left Yankee Stadium without giving any interviews to the press; that could indicate that perhaps he’d agreed a move, but didn’t want to reveal anything.
New York City haven’t endured the best start to their first season of existence, but have now won the last three MLS games against Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact and Toronto. NYCFC fans will be hoping the trio of Villa, Lampard and Pirlo can drive them up the Eastern Conference table, and put them in a strong position going into next season.
