Major League Soccer

Montreal Impact Sign Alessandro Nesta

Big signing by the Montreal Impact on Friday, as they acquired World Cup-winning defender and AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta.

Nesta has signed an 18-month deal with Montreal and said that his past accomplishments mean nothing here:

“Even at 36, my reputation is defined not by what I’ve done,” Nesta told reporters, “but by what I’ll keep on doing.”

Throughout his introduction, Nesta cleared any lingering doubts that might have surrounded his arrival in the Quebec metropolis.

“I’m very happy to be here,” he said. “Despite some offers to continue my career in Europe, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to play in MLS.”

That Nesta ended up in Montreal was a bit of a surprise as he has been linked with a move to the Red Bulls for months. But in his press conference Nesta explained how New York dropped the ball and how the Impact won him over.

“There were negotiations with New York, but in the end, I felt like they didn’t want me much,” the two-time UEFA Champions League winner explained. “There was a certain degree of intent on their part, but as a player, you want to know you’re important to a club. That’s how the Montreal Impact made me feel.”

I am not usually a big fan of over the top faded European stars coming into Major League Soccer. But Nesta showed last season at AC Milan that he can still play at a high level, and that he will make Montreal a better team instantly.

What do you think of Alessandro Nesta signing with MLS and the Montreal Impact?