Montreal, QC – The Montreal Impact has completed the signing of former AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, with terms of the deal not disclosed.
Impact sporting director Nick De Santis confirmed previously that the two sides had verbally agreed to an 18-month contract, while Nesta will officially be added to the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and will not count as a Designated Player.
Montreal acquired first priority on Nesta from Red Bull New York in exchange for allocation money.
"I'm very happy to be here," Nesta said in a statement. "Despite some offers to continue my career in Europe, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to play in MLS. Upon visiting my friend Marco [Di Vaio] to see him play his first game with Montreal, I met great people in this club. I really liked what I saw and I was convinced Montreal was where I wanted to be."
The 36-year-old Nesta spent his entire career in Italy, first as a member of Lazio before joining AC Milan.
Nesta was also a member of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning team and was named to the team of the tournament at Euro 2000, where the Italians finished as runners-up.
"For a player who won the World Cup and played at the highest level for 20 years, he was extremely humble and it was easy to come to an agreement with him," said Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo. "He already feels a part of the team."
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