Inter Miami has completed the signing of former Juventus star Blaise Matuidi.
The Frenchman becomes Miami’s first superstar signing, passing his medical in Paris on Monday.
Miami reached a deal with the midfielder after Juventus and Matuidi agreed to end their contract on Wednesday with the Italian club looking to reduce their wage bill this summer.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, is trying to strengthen after a disappointing start to life in MLS.
The Herons lost their opening two league games before losing all three of their Group Stage games in the MLS is Back Tournament.
During that tournament, Miami added another crucial piece with former Atlanta United defender Leandro Golzalez Pirez arriving from Tijuana.
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Welcome to Inter Miami, @MATUIDIBlaise! pic.twitter.com/clBmlWUna1
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 13, 2020
And now Matuidi has signed up in what will be a huge signing for Inter, who have lacked that dominant edge in midfield. The Frenchman arrives on a free transfer and will take up an international roster spot subject to visa approval.
World Cup winner Matuidi will add that, even at the age of 33, bringing vast experience from Europe.
The 5’9″ midfielder spent six years at PSG before making the move to Juventus in 2017, going on to make 98 outings in Serie A.
During that time, he became a world champion with France, adding to his collection of four Ligue 1 titles, three Serie A titles and 14 more winners’ medals from competitions across France and Italy.
He will now rock up in South Florida for his first taste of MLS looking to help Inter find their feet in their inaugural campaign.
The MLS transfer window officially opened on August 12, and the ink is dry on Matuidi’s contract ahead of the restart of the regular season on Saturday, August 22 when Inter Miami faces state rivals Orlando City in the second ‘Sunshine Clasico’.
Speaking about the signing, co-owner David Beckham, who worked with Matuidi at PSG, said: “I couldn’t be happier to welcome my friend Blaise to Inter Miami. He is an exciting and gifted player and a great person.
“To have a World Cup winner of Blaise’s quality in our new team is such a proud moment – for us as owners and for our fans. For me personally, to have a former teammate joining our Club is very special and I can’t wait to welcome him and his beautiful family to South Florida.”