The Montreal Impact got their defender in Alessandro Nesta, and the Red Bulls got their vig.
The Serie A veteran will play outside of Italy for the first time in his life, signing with the MLS expansion franchise. But of note for Red Bulls fans is that – after the club offered him roughly $120,000, and Nesta opted to go to Montreal instead – Red Bulls GM Erik Soler extracted payment from the Impact.
They had to acquire first priority on Nesta from the Red Bulls, and the payment was valuable allocation money. Impact sporting director Nick De Santis said the 36-year-old Nesta is signed through the end of this season and 2013.
“I’m very happy to be here, Despite offers to continue in Europe, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to play in MLS,’’ Nesta said in his press conference. “Upon visiting my friend (Marco) Di Vaio to see him play his 1st game with Montreal, I met great people. I really liked what I saw and I was convinced Montreal was where I wanted to be.’’
Nesta spent his whole career in Italy, first with Lazio then with AC Milan, winning three Serie A titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and a FIFA Club World Cup. He also was part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning side.