The MLS expansion team have attracted by the club’s second Designated Player by incorporating the Liga MX star.
Inter Miami have confirmed the signing of Mexican celebrity Rodolfo Pizarro from Monterrey, providing the MLS expansion side its next Designated Player.
Pizarro joins David Beckham’s team after a back-and-forth transfer saga, with Inter Miami supposedly paying the midfielder’s launch clause in just under $12 million.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who has starred at Monterrey, Pachuca and Chivas, has emerged as a key figure for the Mexican national team, making 10 appearances and seven starts for El Tri in 2019.
In total, Pizarro has made 25 caps for Mexico, scoring five goals while assisting El Tri to maintain the 2019 Gold Cup. With the move, Pizarro reunited with his former Monterrey trainer Diego Alonso, with whom he won a Concacaf Champions League in 2019.
Pizarro, who was appointed in the Concacaf Champions League and Liga MX Greatest XIs in recent seasons, also claimed a Champions League title with Chivas in 2018 and has accumulated three Liga MX titles and a Copa MX trophy.
“The truth is I am very happy, very pleased to be here, to live this new adventure, to leave my country,” said Pizarro. “I am feeling very positive, excited about getting this started.”
“It’s a really wonderful challenge,” he added. “They tell me that they wish to do major things. They showed me the job and the fact is that I came here without needing to consider it.”
A creative midfielder, Pizarro should slot into Inter Miami’s No. 10 slot, linking an attacking team that includes fellow DP Matias Pellegrini in addition to Argentine forward Julian Carranza, MLS veteran Juan Agudelo, former U.S. men’s national team winger Jerome Kiesewetter and Scottish global Lewis Morgan.
The club recently beefed it up the midfield with the inclusion of USMNT regular Wil Trapp, while Miami also completed a deal for Argentine Nico Figal with targeted allocation cash.
Pizarro had also been connected with the Chicago Fire this offseason in addition to a move to Europe, but Inter Miami were the club to step into get the deal done.
It was not without complication, however. Pizarro wasn’t in Monterrey’s lineup for Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw with Santos Laguna as the two clubs haggled over the midfielder’s release clause. Pizarro had reportedly agreed to personal terms with Inter Miami, but there was confusion over how much the MLS side would have to pay to activate the clause.
Mexican media reported that a debate over taxes postponed the deal prior to Monterrey verified it had parted ways with the midfielder on Wednesday.
“Now, the notification from the participant Rodolfo Pizarro was received in our offices in the sense that, to be able to match his interests, he unilaterally terminates his contract with the Monterrey Rayados Football Club, because his desire is to continue his career with the brand new MLS franchise based in Miami,” the announcement read. “We wish Rodolfo success in his future endeavors.”
The midfielder is the fourth Mexican global to move to MLS this winter, linking the LA Galaxy’s Javier”Chicharito” Hernandez, the San Jose Eathquakes’ Oswaldo Alanis and Alan Pulido of Sporting Kansas City.
Inter Miami will start their first MLS season on the road against Los Angeles FC and D.C. United before hosting Beckham’s former team, the LA Galaxy, in their first home game on March 14.
“My main aim is to be a champion. I Would like to lift a cup with this Club, make MLS history with Miami,” he said upon joining the team.
