Major League Soccer has launched an investigation into Inter Miami after the club signed Brazil midfielder Casemiro, with allegations of tampering emerging from LA Galaxy — the very club where co-owner David Beckham once played.
On Wednesday, Miami announced the 34-year-old had joined on a deal running until the end of the 2027 MLS campaign, with an option to extend through June 2029. Casemiro left Manchester United at the end of last season after a mutual decision not to renew his contract, having made 160 appearances and won one EFL Cup and one FA Cup.
“MLS investigates Inter Miami for tampering after Casemiro signing; LA Galaxy had discovery rights.”
But within moments of the announcement, the MLS released a statement confirming it was “reviewing a tampering allegation” against the club. “The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” it said.
The investigation centres on Casemiro’s discovery rights — an MLS regulation that gives a specific club first refusal over a player. Los Angeles Galaxy held those rights. In its announcement, Inter Miami said they had acquired the rights from the Galaxy. The two teams have reached a settlement for the discovery priority, but the league insists the probe will continue. LA Galaxy confirmed in a statement: “The LA Galaxy and Inter Miami CF have reached a settlement for the discovery priority to sign Casemiro, and the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation currently open with Major League Soccer.”
ESPN reports that the allegation came from LA Galaxy, who expressed issue with the contact Inter Miami had with Casemiro before acquiring the priority. It is not the first time Inter Miami have been probed over transfer dealings — they were investigated in 2021.
Upon signing, Casemiro said: “What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me. I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust.”
Before the investigation was announced, Beckham said: “He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
At Miami, Casemiro joins former Real and Manchester United teammate Sergio Reguilon as well as Argentina’s World Cup finalists Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul. The Brazilian won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid before moving to United in 2022, and started every game at the World Cup as Brazil reached the last 16.
United, in the wake of Casemiro’s departure, have prioritised midfield reinforcements this window, buying Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m.
The outcome of the tampering investigation — and the terms of the settlement between the two MLS clubs — remain unresolved as the league continues its review.