Veteran Nesta joins Montreal Impact

Veteran Italian defender Alessandro Nesta, released by Serie A side AC Milan, has signed an 18-month deal with Montreal Impact, the Canadian MLS team confirmed on Friday.

The 36-year-old central defender, who earned 78 caps for the national side, will join fellow former Italian international Marco Di Vaio on the Canadian team.

"This is my last season at Milan," Nesta said at the end of the season.

"I have taken stock, and the rhythm of Serie A, the Champions League and the Italian Cup meant I couldn't play all the time.

"It doesn't suit me to sit on the bench and if I don't feel important I prefer to stay at home."

Nesta started his playing career with Lazio and captained the Rome side to the Serie A title in 2000 before heading for Milan in 2002.

With the Rossoneri he won the Serie A title in 2004 and 2011, two Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007, and the Club World Cup in 2007.

He was also in the side that lost the Champions League final in 2005 to Liverpool despite Milan leading 3-0 at half-time.

Nesta's career has been plagued by injuries ever since Italy's triumphant 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany.