Inter Miami secures Casemiro amid league review

By Liam Tremblay — 22 July 2026 — 3 min read

Inter Miami secures Casemiro amid league review

Inter Miami has announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, a five-time Champions League winner. The club confirmed the acquisition of the player, who previously spent four seasons with Manchester United and a significant portion of his professional career with Real Madrid.

The deal sees Casemiro under contract with Inter Miami through the conclusion of the 2027 sprint season, with an option for an extension through June 2029. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham expressed his delight, stating that Casemiro is a winner who has achieved much in the game and has chosen Miami as his next home after an incredible career.

However, Major League Soccer (MLS) is currently investigating Inter Miami for a possible tampering allegation related to the transfer. The league stated it is gathering all relevant information and will not comment further until the review is complete. Casemiro is awaiting the necessary visa, and it is not yet clear when he will make his debut for Inter Miami.

Tampering allegations and discovery rights

The tampering investigation stems from the fact that Casemiro’s discovery rights were held by the LA Galaxy. League rules typically prevent a club from negotiating with a player whose discovery rights are held by another team. Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement regarding these discovery rights, allowing the signing to proceed.

The terms of this settlement will be released once the tampering investigation concludes. MLS has not specified whether the tampering charge relates to any direct negotiations Inter Miami may have had with Casemiro before acquiring his discovery rights, or if it focuses more on the acquisition process of those rights.

The discovery process in MLS allows each team to maintain a list of up to five players for whom they have priority to sign if those players decide to join the league. Clubs can transfer discovery rights to one another, enabling the acquiring club to negotiate with the player. An example of this process involved the LA Galaxy paying Charlotte FC for Marco Reus’ discovery rights.

Casemiro’s career and impact on Inter Miami

Casemiro, who is 34 years old, is regarded as one of the top midfielders of his generation. He moved to Real Madrid in 2013, where he secured five Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, and a Copa del Rey. His time at Manchester United included winning the 2023-24 FA Cup.

He participated in all five of Brazil’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, scoring one goal. Brazil was eliminated by Norway in the last 16 of the tournament. Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas highlighted that Casemiro embodies the club’s values, including leadership, a winning mentality, and an exceptional track record at the highest level.

Casemiro joins an Inter Miami squad that already features prominent players such as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suárez. The team is defending its MLS Cup title. The league will refrain from further comment on the investigation until its review is complete.

Source: tsn.ca