Transfer complete
The long-expected transfer of Gianluca Busio to Venezia FC is now official. Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City confirmed the deal on Thursday night. The MLS club will receive a club record €6 million (around $7m). The deal can grow to over €10 million should certain easy to meet performance-based incentives be met.
“Gianluca has embodied all of the core values we look for in a player,” Sporting Kansas City manager and sporting director Peter Vermes said in a club statement. “He has consistently put the team first while demonstrating tremendous professionalism and an unwavering commitment to improving his game and helping the club win. Gianluca is a special talent with outstanding character, and we wish him nothing but the best at Venezia.”
“This is a very proud moment for me and my family,” Busio said. “I’d like to thank everyone who has made it possible, especially all the people at Sporting KC who have helped me become the player and person I am today. Sporting will always have a special place in my heart and I’m grateful to have started my career at such an amazing club. The people, the fans, the city — everything about Kansas City was perfect and it will always feel like home. This is the next step in my career and I’m really excited to join Venezia.”
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Busio a star at the Gold Cup – 19-year-old among 25 most valuable USMNT players
The 19-year-old midfielder was a star at the Gold Cup. Busio played in all six games at the tournament leading his country to a final victory over rivals Mexico. The midfielder, who also has an Italian passport has played 70 games for Sporting KC across all competitions scoring eight goals and nine assists.