Report: Daniele De Rossi Likely Heading To New York In 2016
While Italian international, Daniele De Rossi has spent his entire career with hometown club Roma, he has been involved in a plethora of rumors linking him with a move to North America and specifically, New York. On Thursday, numerous reports out of Italy including from the likes of the Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato have suggested that De Rossi will move to a club in New York when his contract with Roma expires in the summer of 2016.
Six weeks ago, MLSMultiplex published an article suggesting that the midfielder would be open to a move to New York City FC, but only if Roma won the Scudetto. Just over two weeks ago, we published an article with some quotes from a television interview De Rossi recently did with Roma TV where he discusses his admiration for the United States.
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“I like these sports, in European football we are at extremely high levels but they know their stuff too,” said De Rossi.
“We must draw from American sports. They have a great organisation, a great relationship with their supporters. I’d like to end my career overseas. I want to live in America, and I hope I’ll be able to do that.”
The Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that two clubs from New York are interested in the 31 year old but do not mention which two sides they are. While Calciomercato on the other hand, gets into specifics about it being the New York Red Bulls and the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.
Since Toronto FC acquired Sebastian Giovinco last month, a number of players currently plying their trade in the Italian top flight have been linked with a move to Major League Soccer. Names like Michael Essien, Samuel Eto’o, Antonio Di Natale, and just yesterday, Cristian Ledesma have all been tipped for possible transfers.
When asked during Friday’s press conference what his former Juventus teammates thought about his move to Major League Soccer, Giovinco replied with a big grin on his face.
“The truth is they all wanted to come over and join us. That is the truth.”
Giovinco’s decision to ply his trade across the pond also garnered the support of Italian National Team head coach, Antonio Conte as well.
“What else should he have done? In a few years’ time players will be elbowing each other out of the way to go there. The MLS will grow a great deal and not just in terms of chatter. I know Giovinco well and he’s not going there just to earn money. It’s a great opportunity, one as a player I would’ve grabbed. I missed out on an overseas job, as that would’ve been a formative experience. It’s true that players can be at a bit of a disadvantage for the Nazionale when playing so far away, such as Diamanti and Gilardino in China, but I always keep an eye out anyway.”
Where there is smoke, there is usually fire and that may be the case in De Rossi’s situation. He has always expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to one day play in the United States and with his contract up with Roma after next season, it seems like the timing might be right for the Italian to finally make the leap.
Next: Report: Lazio's Cristian Ledesma Interested In MLS Move