Inter Miami under investigation after signing Casemiro

Inter Miami said Wednesday it completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro as a free agent, adding one of the biggest names in world football to a squad that already features Lionel Messi.

The announcement was followed by news that the MLS had launched an investigation into alleged irregularities involving the move.

Real Madrid's Carlos Casemiro (2nd L) vies with Shakhtar Donetsk's Marlos Romero (2nd R) during the UEFA Champions League Group B match in Madrid, Spain, Oct 21, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Inter Miami said the 34-year-old, who left Manchester United in June, agreed to a contract that runs until the end of 2027, with an option to extend to June 2029.

Casemiro confirmed in January that he and United had mutually decided to part ways after four years. In its statement, Inter Miami said it had obtained Casemiro's discovery rights from LA Galaxy as part of the transfer.

Under MLS rules, a club may place up to five players on a discovery list, giving it first option to sign any of them ahead of other league clubs. Galaxy had held that priority over Casemiro, meaning Inter Miami needed to reach an agreement with the Californian club before it could pursue him.

Casemiro won five Champions League titles at Real Madrid before joining Manchester United in 2022, going on to help the club lift the League Cup and FA Cup. He has earned 91 caps for Brazil and started all five of Brazil's matches at this year's World Cup before the team's round of 16 exit.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham welcomed the signing, calling Casemiro "a winner who has achieved so much in the game" over his career at Real Madrid and Manchester United. Casemiro himself said in the club's statement: "What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow."

MLS said Inter Miami and LA Galaxy had reached a settlement over Casemiro's discovery rights, though the terms of that agreement will not be made public until the tampering investigation concludes.

LA Galaxy confirmed the settlement in a statement of its own, saying the terms "will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation currently open with Major League Soccer."

MLS said: "The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete," adding, "While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the discovery priority [first rights] to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation."

Under MLS regulations, tampering covers any attempt by a club to negotiate with or make an offer to a player under contract with, or subject to the priority rights of, another club, without league clearance.

It is not the first time Inter Miami's transfer dealings have drawn league scrutiny.

The club was fined 2 million U.S. dollars in 2021 after MLS found it had breached roster rules in its signing of French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, effectively giving the team four "designated players" rather than the permitted three under a rule introduced when Beckham himself joined LA Galaxy in 2007.