Casemiro joins Inter Miami amid MLS investigation

Inter Miami has signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro as a free agent, adding another star to their roster. The move, however, is overshadowed by an ongoing Major League Soccer investigation into alleged violations of transfer regulations.

Casemiro, 34, brings a wealth of experience, including five Champions League titles won during his tenure with Real Madrid. He joins Inter Miami after Manchester United opted not to extend his contract. The veteran midfielder expressed his desire to play alongside Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul at the club co-owned by English legend David Beckham.

Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami, stated that Casemiro's arrival underscores the club's ambition to grow and become a top global team. "Casemiro's presence reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami. We are never satisfied; we always strive to improve the quality and standard of the team every season," Mas said. "We are building a global club with the goal of not only being the best in the United States but also setting the benchmark internationally."

Despite the excitement, MLS issued a statement confirming an investigation into alleged rule breaches by Inter Miami during the acquisition of Casemiro. The probe centers on the league's "discovery rights" system, which requires clubs to secure negotiation rights before signing high-profile players. Los Angeles Galaxy reportedly held these rights for Casemiro and will receive compensation from Inter Miami for releasing them. "MLS is gathering all relevant information and will not issue further statements until the investigation is complete," the league announced. "Although Inter Miami and LA Galaxy have reached an agreement regarding Discovery Priority for Casemiro, the details of the agreement will only be announced after the investigation concludes."

Casemiro's signing further solidifies Inter Miami's status as a star-studded team in MLS, though other clubs also boast renowned players. Inter Miami, which won its first MLS Cup in December and moved to a new stadium in April, has faced transfer-related issues before. In 2020, Blaise Matuidi's transfer led to an MLS investigation, resulting in a $2 million fine for Inter Miami due to salary cap violations.