Former Italy striker Marco Di Vaio is set to move to Major League Soccer with Montreal Impact next month.

The 35-year-old will become the Canadian franchise's first designated player when he joins on 27 June, following four seasons with Bologna.

Di Vaio has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in Serie A, scoring 142 goals in 342 games and also representing Lazio, Bari, Salernitana, Parma, Juventus and Genoa.

It was not an easy choice to leave Bologna but I hope to be able to serve a similar role in Montreal, as I am prepared to give everything I have.
Marco Di Vaio

He told impactmontreal.com: "I am very proud to become a member of the Montreal Impact and to start this new phase of my career.

"I have accepted with great enthusiasm the challenge of joining an enticing championship like MLS. I am extremely eager to make the entire club proud, from the president to its supporters.

"It was not an easy choice to leave Bologna but I hope to be able to serve a similar role in Montreal, as I am prepared to give everything I have, including my experience and leadership for my coaches, my team-mates and the organisation."

Di Vaio won 14 caps for his country, scoring twice, and will link up with UEFA EURO 2004 squad colleagues Bernardo Corradi and Matteo Ferrari in Montreal.