MIAMI (AP) — Inter Miami announced Wednesday the signing of Brazilian midfielder and five-time Champions League winner Casemiro, but Major League Soccer is currently investigating whether the reigning league champions committed any wrongdoing to get the deal done.
The 34-year-old Casemiro, who played in all five games for Brazil at this year’s World Cup and scored one goal, has a contract with Inter Miami until the end of next year’s Sprint season, with an option to extend until June 2029.
Casemiro’s discovery rights were held by the LA Galaxy and were held by league rules that would have prevented Inter Miami from negotiating with him. The two teams reached a settlement, allowing Inter Miami to seal the long-awaited deal, but the league is still investigating the tampering allegations.
“The league is gathering all relevant information and will decline further comment until the investigation is complete,” MLS said in a statement. “Inter Miami CF and LA Galaxy have reached a settlement regarding the Discovery Priority contract for Casemiro, but the terms will be lifted once the tampering investigation is concluded.”
It is unclear when Casemiro will make his Inter Miami debut. The team said he was still waiting for the necessary visa.
Casemiro spent the last four seasons at Manchester United, and before that spent the majority of his professional career at Real Madrid.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said: “He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and I am delighted that he has decided to make Miami his next home after a fantastic career with Real Madrid and Manchester United.”
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