Andrea Pirlo joins New York City FC: Juventus legend to join Frank Lampard in the Big Apple

Juventus say farewell to veteran playmaker

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Andrea Pirlo has joined New York City from Italian champions Juventus.

The 36-year-old has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer since the end of the season, after he almost helped Max Allegri's side to the treble.

Juventus won the Serie A and Coppa Italia double but lost to Barcelona in the Champions League final, with Pirlo bursting into tears at the end of the game.

Pirlo joins former Chelsea and England star Frank Lampard, who could make his debut this week, at the newly established side.

In four seasons at Juventus he won four consecutive Serie A titles. Juventus confirmed the news on their Twitter account.

In a lengthy tribute on their club website, Juventus thanked the veteran.

"Pirlo is silent charisma, the steadying hand in the middle of the park, the dummy that undoes the opposition defence," it read. "He's that unexpected ball that splits the game wide open, the lofted pass that brings a team to its knees.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to have shared these four fantastic seasons with Andrea and all associated with Juventus Football Club wish him the very best for the future.

Thanks for everything, Maestro, and good luck."