It’s official: Mexican star Rodolfo Pizarro leaves Monterrey to join Inter Miami
After weeks of speculation, Mexican national team midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro left Monterrey on Wednesday to join Inter Miami.
Mexican club Monterrey made the news official Wednesday night with a press release confirming that Pizarro “unilaterally rescinds his contract with the club due to his wish to continue his sports career with the new MLS franchise in Miami.”
Inter Miami had not announced the news yet, but a league source confirmed that the signing is imminent. He is expected to join the team in the coming days. ESPN sources said the transfer fee was close to $12 million, and he would count as one of the team’s three Designated Players. The first was 19-year-old Matias Pellegrini of Argentina, and there is one spot still open, likely for a Europe-based player.
Pizarro had also been in talks with teams in Europe and with the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, but Inter Miami was able to work out a contract. The 25-year-old is very familiar with Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso because he played for him in Mexico at Pachuca and Monterrey.
Pizarro has played in 25 games for the Mexican national team, and his recommendation from Mexican national team coach Tata Martino carried weight with Inter Miami Paul McDonough, who hired Martino at Atlanta United.
He is the fourth Mexican player to join MLS this off-season, along with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (LA Galaxy), Oswaldo Alanis (San Jose Earthquakes) and Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City).
