Inter Miami confirm Jordi Alba signing to complete Lionel Messi plan
Inter Miami have confirmed the signing of Jordi Alba on a free transfer.
The Major League Soccer club have strengthened their defence with the signing of the veteran left-back. Alba had been a free agent after his contract with Barcelona expired at the end of last season. Alba becomes the third former Barcelona player to make the move to the DRV PNK Stadium. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were confirmed as new signings on July 16, and now Alba has been reunited with his old teammates.
Miami have signed Alba to a deal that runs until the end of the 2024 MLS season, while Messi and Busquets are contracted to the club until 2025. After signing the deal, Miami’s chief soccer director and sporting director Chris Henderson explained the reasoning behind the decision to sign Alba.
“Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad," said Henderson, via the club's website. "He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best fullbacks in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack. We know that he’ll help Inter Miami achieve the Club’s objectives this season and beyond."
The 34-year-old is expected to be the first-choice left-back in the Miami team. He was already included as part of the squad for the Leagues Cup, which begins against Mexican club Cruz Azul on Friday. Alba had spent 11 years with Barcelona prior to leaving the club as a free agent this summer. The left-back has won 18 club trophies in his illustrious career, as well as two for his country, Spain.
Mbappe misses two penalties and open goal in one minute before going off injured
He was part of the Spain squad that won the European Championships in 2012. And, more recently, he helped his country win the Nations League just last month.
Inter Miami have confirmed the signing of Jordi Alba (Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)Alba could make his debut against Cruz Azul on Friday while there is also at least one more game in the Leagues Cup, with Atlanta United their opponents in the same group. However, he will have to wait some time before he takes to the field in the MLS. Miami are not next in league action until August 21, when they welcome Charlotte FC to their home stadium in Fort Lauderdale. That will then be followed by an away trip to the New York Red Bulls on August 27.
The MLS club have had a busy few weeks in terms of their transfer business. Messi, Busquets and Alba are possibly among the most high-profile players to have entered the league since its formation. Miami also confirmed the signing of Diego Gomez on Wednesday. The 20-year-old midfielder arrived after signing a long-term contract that runs until the end of the 2026 MLS season.
Alba faces a task of helping to improve Inter Miami’s season after a tough first few months of the campaign. The team are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference in the MLS with just 18 points from their 22 games so far. New manager Gerardo Martino, who also worked with Alba at Barcelona during his time as head coach, will be tasked with improving the team’s form in the second half of the season.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
