TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan
Inter Miami CF have loaned attacking midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro to Liga MX side CF Monterrey through the 2022 season with a purchase option, it was announced Tuesday evening.
The Mexico international has been one of three Designated Players in Miami, holding that status in 2021 alongside midfielder Blaise Matuidi and forward Gonzalo Higuain.
The transaction does not open a Designated Player spot for Inter Miami, though clears the maximum salary budget charge of $612,500 on the salary cap, as per MLS roster rules and guidelines.
“This loan gives the club more options to continue managing our roster,” Inter Miami chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said in a release. “We are working tirelessly to acquire the right players that will help us attain our objectives moving forward. We’re glad to have found an opportunity for Rodolfo to continue developing in Mexico and wish him well during his loan.”
The move sees Pizarro return to CF Monterrey after first joining Inter Miami in 2020 ahead of their expansion debut.
Pizarro earned a number of individual – and team – accolades during his time in Liga MX, but struggled to duplicate that in Major League Soccer. He recorded seven goals and 12 assists in 46 regular-season appearances with Inter Miami, including three goals and seven assists in 2021 as Phil Neville took over as manager.
Miami have been active this offseason as Henderson and Neville assemble a younger, faster roster. They've worked several intra-league trades and signed Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota, plus sent away winger Lewis Morgan (trade to New York Red Bulls) and forward Julian Carranza (loan to Philadelphia Union).
There are additional reports that Matuidi could depart in the coming weeks, continuing an overhaul in south Florida.
