Galaxy filed a complaint alleging foul play by Inter Miami; Casemiro says Miami ‘only MLS team I wanted’
Inter Miami have signed former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer, but the move is being reviewed by Major League Soccer after the league opened an investigation into an alleged tampering breach.
The Brazil midfielder has signed a deal until 2027, with an option that could keep him at the club until the conclusion of the 2028-29 season. His arrival adds another decorated name to a squad that already includes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.
However, MLS confirmed in a statement that an investigation has been initiated after Inter Miami acquired Casemiro’s discovery rights from LA Galaxy.
“Major League Soccer is reviewing a tampering allegation against Inter Miami CF,” the league said. “The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete.
“While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.”
It was LA Galaxy who filed a complaint after alleging Inter Miami made contact with the player before obtaining his discovery rights, according to people familiar with the investigation. Although the two clubs have since reached an agreement, the league’s review will continue.
MLS rules allow each club to place up to five players on a discovery list, giving them priority to negotiate if those players decide to move to the league. Another club can acquire those rights through an agreement.
The league outlined the process in its regulations, as follows: “If a club wants to sign a player on the Discovery List of another club that has higher Discovery priority on the player, it may offer that club $50,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for the right to sign the player.
“The club with the player on its Discovery List will then have five days (or three days during the Secondary Transfer Window) to either (i) accept the General Allocation Money and pass on the right to sign the player or (ii) make the player a genuine, objectively reasonable offer.”
Casemiro, who left United as a fan favourite at the end of last season, said he had made his preference clear throughout the process.
“I would like to be very clear about this situation, especially as it pertains to my person,” Casemiro said. “I spoke to the Galaxy a while ago. I left it very clear to them that I wanted to join Miami because, in the end, it’s a city I love. My wife, my kids and I are always here when we have days off. We know the city.
“When I spoke to them, I left it very clear which team I wanted to join in the MLS and that is Inter Miami because of the project, the hope and of course to play with the best player of all time.
“It’s something that excites me. I just want to thank Inter Miami, their effort. I also wanted to be here. The only MLS team I wanted to be a part of is Inter Miami.”
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas welcomed the signing, saying: “Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game.”
Co-owner David Beckham added: “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
