Inter Miami sign Casemiro as MLS opens tampering investigation
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Brazil midfielder Casemiro in action against Norway at the World Cup, where the five-time champions lost 2-1 in the last 16.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MIAMI – Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazil midfielder Casemiro as a free agent on July 22, but Major League Soccer (MLS) said that it was investigating a “tampering allegation” against the club.
The league’s probe cast a shadow over the midfielder’s arrival, with MLS saying it would withhold details of a settlement between Miami and LA Galaxy over Casemiro’s discovery rights until the review concludes.
Miami said they had signed the five-time Champions League winner – who left Manchester United at the end of last season – on a deal through the 2027 MLS Sprint campaign, with an option to extend to June 2029.
Yet the league then said in a statement that it had launched an investigation and was gathering all relevant information and would refrain from further comment until the review was complete.
MLS confirmed that Miami and the Galaxy had reached a settlement over Casemiro’s discovery priority rights, but said the terms “will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation”.
Under MLS rules, clubs must negotiate discovery rights with any team that previously listed a player before signing him outside the draft or free agency. The Galaxy had held rights to Casemiro before he opted to join Miami.
The league did not specify potential penalties or a timeline for when the investigation might end.
In their statement announcing the signing, Miami said the club had acquired his discovery rights from the Galaxy as part of the deal.
LA Galaxy said on social media platform X that they had “reached a settlement for the discovery priority to sign Casemiro, and the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation currently open with Major League Soccer”.
Reuters has contacted Inter Miami and LA Galaxy for comment on the MLS investigation.
Casemiro won five Champions League titles and three Spanish league titles over eight seasons at Real Madrid before moving in 2022 to Manchester United, where he helped the club win the English League Cup and FA Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow,” the 34-year-old said in Miami’s statement.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust – not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has made 91 appearances for Brazil and won the 2019 Copa America. He has played in three World Cups, starting all five of Brazil’s matches in the 2026 tournament before the five-time champions’ shock last-16 elimination by Norway.
At his new club, he will join former Real Madrid and United teammate Sergio Reguilon, as well as Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul. REUTERS
