Andrea Pirlo Joins New York City FC

Andrea Pirlo (Massimo Pinca)

The Europeans are coming, the Europeans are coming.

In this case, New York City FC does not care if they come by land or sea or air, only that finally, the reinforcements have arrived. NYCFC announced that Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo, recently of Juventus was named as their Third Designated Player.

Pirlo is 36 but is as skilled as they come and his pedigree is peerless with a World Cup and European Championships on his resume. Andrea was impressed with the style of head coach Jason Kreis which helped in the decision making process.

“I met with the coach, Jason Kreis, and he gave me a fantastic impression of the club,” Pirlo shared. “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.

The timing could not be more perfect as NYCFC has won five of their last six league games and with Frank Lampard on board soon, adding Pirlo on July 21 will add alot of depth to a team that Captain David Villa has carried on his back most of this season, especially in his last game, scoring twice in a 2-1 road win against Montreal.

Kreis knows what he is getting and said as much; “We are getting a player with a competitive spirit and winning mentality.”

NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna agreed, “In Pirlo we are getting one of the most recognized and influential players in world soccer.”

Pirlo, who has 115 caps for Italy and a 2006 World Cup championship has eyed New York for some time. He mentioned that though he has had offers to play outside Italy over the years that the enthusiasm of the people of New York was a factor.

“I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that it has materialized I wanted to take it,” Pirlo proclaimed. “This is a club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the League.”

NYCFC and Pirlo will most likely debut against New England on July 18, at Yankee Stadium. NYC are currently in seventh place with twenty points in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, who they play on July 12.