Montreal: Former Italy international striker Marco Di Vaio, who spent most of his 20-year career with Italian clubs, said on Friday he will retire after the Montreal Impact’s season concludes.
The 38-year-old forward has played for the Major League Soccer club since its 2012 inception, netting 31 goals in 72 matches.
Di Vaio scored 142 goals in 342 Serie A matches with Lazio, Bari, Salernitana, Parma, Juventus, Genoa and Bologna and also played for French league side Monaco.
“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.
“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.”
The Impact have won six and drawn six in 30 matches to stand last in the Eastern Conference and 19th overall in the 20-team league, leading Chivas USA only on goal difference.
Di Vaio, who scored twice for Italy in his 14 caps, began his professional career in Serie A in 1995 with Lazio and earned the Serie B Golden Boot in 1997-98 in helping Salernitana earn promotion to the first division.
He joined Juventus in 2003 and scored 18 goals in 55 games, winning the Italian championship and helping the team reach the Champions League final, scoring four goals in 11 matches.
He moved on to Bologna in 2008 and captained the club for two seasons, scoring 65 goals in 143 games.
