Montréal forward Marco Di Vaio to retire at the end of the season
Montreal forward Marco Di Vaio will retire from professional soccer at the end of the MLS season.
Di Vaio, 38, hinted at his likely departure at several points during this season, but he confirmed his decision to call time on his career on Friday morning.
The former Italian international will see out the campaign with the Impact and wrap up his three-year spell in MLS against D.C. United on Oct. 25.
"After a 20-year career, I am pleased to announce that I will be retiring in Montreal as a member of the Impact," Di Vaio said in a statement. "I am very proud of what I've accomplished over two decades as a pro. It was a dream of mine to play at the highest level and I will look to make the best of my final month as a player."
Di Vaio made his mark on both the league and the Impact after joining from Bologna prior to the start of the 2012 season as the club's first Designated Player. The former Juventus and Parma striker established the tone for the nascent side during its first year in MLS and submitted an MVP-caliber campaign in 2013 (20 goals in 27 appearances) to reinforce his enduring credentials.
His production tailed off this year due to injury and the poor form of the team as a whole (six goals in 22 appearances), but his effect on the club and its first steps in MLS remains evident nevertheless.
"Everything we asked of Marco has been delivered," Impact president Joey Saputo said in a statement. "He accepted all the responsibilities that came with being a Designated Player. He was the first for this club and was the right choice. His quality and experience helped the team progress on the field, but he also helped the club with his wealth of knowledge off of it. He gained respect around the league and from its players, and it's very well deserved. We thank him for everything he's done for the club and the city."
