Andrea Pirlo Officially Leaves Juventus for New York City FC

Andrea Pirlo has confirmed his decision to leave Juventus in order to join New York City FC in Major League Soccer.

The Italian club announced the news on its official website on July 6.

The classy deep-lying midfielder "will earn €5 million a season," according to Gazzetta dello Sport, per Italian journalist Omid Zamani on June 24.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News noted Pirlo will be the club's third designated player alongside Spanish striker David Villa and former Chelsea star Frank Lampard.

Pirlo's final game for Juventus was the loss to Barcelona in the Champions League final, where he was left emotional at the final whistle in Berlin, as Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail reported.

Pirlo bossed games in Serie A and Europe with an insouciant swagger last season. As such, he will be a brilliant acquisition in terms of style for NYCFC.

In addition, the commercial benefits of landing a genuine world-class talent are obvious for a club intent on thrusting itself to the forefront of the American game.