Nesta makes MLS move

The 36-year-old, a World Cup winner with the Azzurri in 2006, was out of contract at AC Milan and will officially join the American club upon receiving his international transfer certificate.

"I'm very happy to be here," Nesta said on www.impactmontreal.com. "Despite some offers to continue my career in Europe, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to play in MLS.

"Upon visiting my friend Marco (Di Vaio) to see him play his first game with Montreal, I met great people in this club. I really liked what I saw and I was convinced Montreal was where I wanted to be."

Rome-born Nesta, who came through the youth ranks at Lazio and then played for the Eternal City club's first team for almost a decade before moving to Milan in 2002, played a total of 417 games in the Italian top flight.

He won three Serie A titles, enjoyed Champions League success twice with the Rossoneri - in 2003 and 2007 - and was included in UEFA's Team of the Year on four occasions.