Andrea Pirlo 'accepts' offer to join Frank Lampard at New York City FC

Move would mean Pirlo's final Juventus game is the Champions League final

Wednesday 03 June 2015 13:39 BST

(Getty Images)

Andrea Pirlo has accepted a move to join New York City FC in Major League soccer, according to reports.

The Juventus legend, 36, has "accepted" a proposal from the new club, according to Spanish newspaper AS, having spoken to the club's CEO Ferran Soriano.

Should a move go through, he will join former England and Chelsea man Frank Lampard at the club, as well as former Spain and Barcelona striker David Villa.

Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

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1/11Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Gianluigi Buffon

Pirlo's verdict: He has been at the top for so long. He makes saves that no other goalkeeper in the world can make. He knows how to command the defence and give confidence to them.

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Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Marcos Cafu

Pirlo's verdict: Trend-setting in being one of the first truly great attacking full backs. Excellent at getting forward, but very strong defensively as well.

AFP

Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Fabio Cannavaro

Pirlo’s verdict: A true leader that didn’t need to ask for respect, but naturally got it. Without doubt one of the best central defenders to have ever played.

Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Paolo Maldini

Pirlo’s verdict: A defender who could read the game like nobody else, so intelligent and always so calm on the ball. One of the true greats, for both Italy and Milan.

Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Philipp Lahm

Pirlo’s verdict: One of those players who never makes mistakes, always so reliable for Germany and Bayern. Probably doesn’t always get the credit, because it's just so normal for him to be playing at such a high level now.

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Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Xavi

Pirlo’s verdict: Another intelligent midfield player. Didn’t need to spend the whole time running but would control so many games for Barcelona and Spain with his intelligence and range of passing.

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Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Gennaro Gattuso

Pirlo’s verdict: Rino is the opposition’s nightmare. Even in a training game, he plays like it is the World Cup final. The style of his game allows his team-mates time on the ball. Every team needs a Gattuso.

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Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Paul Scholes

Pirlo’s verdict: The truly great English midfield player of the generation. Didn’t just play the game, he thought about the game. You could see every pass, every decision, was based on his intelligence and understanding.

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Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Kaka

Pirlo’s verdict: I remember how badly we took it as a team when Kaka left Milan. For two or three years he was the best player in the world. There was a point when teams just had no idea how to stop him.

EPA

Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Pippo Inzaghi

Pirlo’s verdict: Just the perfect goalscorer. We had this most incredible understanding. We did not even have to look for each other. He knew what pass I would make and I knew where he would be. You gave him a chance and he would take it.

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Andrea Pirlo's dream XI

Lionel Messi

Pirlo’s verdict: Has achieved so much, but still I am sure will achieve so much more. I don’t need to talk in detail about what he is capable of. Everybody knows he is one of the greatest ever already.

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The paper report that New York City had also been interested in a move for midfielder Xavi, who has chosen a move to Qatar with Al Saad instead.

Pirlo is out of contract at Juventus and has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League.

He is likely to play his final game in Italy when Juve face Barcelona in the Champions League final, a match where both teams are chasing a treble.

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