(Photo credit: Agustin Marcarian-Reuters via Imagn Images)

Inter Miami acquired Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from LaLiga powerhouse Atletico Madrid.

The MLS club announced the move late Friday, with De Paul arriving on loan through 2025 with a purchase option that could make the deal permanent through 2029.

De Paul, 31, will not occupy a designated player spot on the roster as he reunites with fellow 2022 FIFA World Cup champion Lionel Messi.

'Assembling a team that inspires our fans to dream continues to be one of our primary aspirations, so we're thrilled to sign a player of Rodrigo's caliber. He is a winner who has conquered the world stage; his ambitions match ours at Inter Miami, and we are hungry to achieve these goals together,' Inter Miami CF managing owner Jorge Mas said.

'Several of the best players in global futbol have already chosen Inter Miami as their home, and Rodrigo joining our roster is another landmark as we continue on this journey to change the trajectory of the sport in this country and make our fans proud.'

De Paul has accumulated 57 goals and 74 assists in nearly 500 professional matches with Argentina's Racing Club (2012-14), Italy's Udinese (2016-21) and Spain's Valencia (2014-16) and Atletico (2021-25).

'Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years. As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for -- especially with his national team Argentina,' Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said.

'He brings experience, passion and quality to our team and to our city. I'm excited to welcome another World Cup-winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS.'

Internationally, he has been capped 78 times by Argentina. In addition to the World Cup, he helped the team win Copa America championships in 2021 and 2024. De Paul became known for his role as an enforcer for Messi.

'What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club's history,' De Paul said. 'It's a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team.'

--Field Level Media