Andrea Pirlo officially leaves Juventus to join Frank Lampard at New York City

The Italy international spent four years with Juve in Serie A, and will link up in midfield with new team-mate Frank Lampard in Major League Soccer from July 21.

Pirlo is expected to sign an 18-month contract, and told their official website: 'I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that the opportunity materialised I wanted to take it. 

This is a club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the league. I am hoping to win. I had several opportunities to play outside of Italy, but I never had a doubt in picking New York for the enthusiasm of the people that come watch the team.

'I met with the coach, Jason Kreis, and he gave me a fantastic impression of the club. 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.

'Now - Yes Pirlo, Yes Party, therefore we will start celebrating together from the 20th of July. Thanks to all for having me here.' 

NYCFC manager Kreis added: 'We have said from the outset that the right player for the third DP (Designated Player) slot was worth waiting for. Nobody could question that in Pirlo we are bringing one of the best in the world and one of the finest players to come to MLS.'

The transfer was among the summer's worst kept secrets after NYCFC seemed to accidentally post his profile on their club website last week, before the 36-year-old was spotted at Yankee Stadium.

Pirlo is likely to make his debut on July 26, when his new side face Orlando at home. 

During his four years with Juve, Pirlo won four Serie A titles, and played in their 2015 Champions League final defeat against Barcelona at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The Italian club wrote on their official website: 'Thank you maestro. You can only start with these words, the homage to Andrea Pirlo at the end of his adventure with Juventus. 

'His visionary passing, pinpoint assists, spectacular goals and masterful free-kicks have been instrumental in the club's continued rise. 

Despite his 164 appearances, 19 goals (15 of which were free-kicks) 35 assists and seven trophies, Pirlo is a player - a man - who could never be summed up with mere statistics. 

'Pirlo is silent charisma, the steadying hand in the middle of the park, the dummy that undoes the opposition defence. He's that unexpected ball that splits the game wide open, the lofted pass that brings a team to its knees.

'Thanks for what we did see, live, win in the last four years. We asked several times how we could finish it. This time Andrea has anticipated all, and decided to start a new adventure in New York.  

'In these cases, we speak of "agreed termination" of the contract. We like to think of this time as more of a handshake, as a pat on the back from friends who have shared amazing experiences.

'And who keep, the one towards the other, affection, respect and deep gratitude. For Juventus and its fans, admiring Andrea, he has shared his emotions and victories, it was a pleasure and a privilege. So thanks maestro and good luck, we will follow you even across the ocean.' 

(dailymail.co.uk)