Sporting Kansas City has signed 25-year-old Argentine-Italian midfielder Jose Mauri, the club announced today.
Mauri has signed an MLS contract through the 2022 season with an option for 2023. He will occupy an international spot on Sporting’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.
Mauri, who holds dual citizenship in Argentina and Italy, boasts six seasons of top-flight experience in the Italian Serie A, where he competed for Parma, Empoli and European giants AC Milan from 2013-2019. He arrives in Kansas City after a two-year stint with Argentine Primera Division club Talleres de Cordoba.
A versatile central midfielder, Mauri moved from his native Argentina to Italy in 2012 to join Parma’s youth ranks and earned his senior team debut for the club in a Coppa Italia victory over Varese on Dec. 3, 2013 at age 17. He made his first Serie A appearance the following month in a 1-0 win against Udinese.
Mauri enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season in 2014-15 by starting 29 of 33 Serie A matches for Parma and scoring twice, including the lone goal in a 1-0 upset win over Italian juggernaut Juventus on April 11, 2015. His 2,549 minutes played during the 2014-15 campaign were the most among Serie A teenagers.
Mauri’s standout performances with Parma prompted AC Milan to sign the player ahead of the 2015-16 season. The midfielder logged 10 competitive appearances in his first season with the storied club, including five games and two starts in Milan’s run to the 2016 Coppa Italia Final. Mauri featured as a substitute in the match as Milan fell 1-0 in extra time to Juventus.
The 2016-17 campaign saw Mauri join Empoli on loan, where he played 14 additional Serie A matches. He returned to Milan shortly after his 21st birthday and spent each of the next two seasons with the Rossoneri, notably helping his team to wins in each of his five UEFA Europa League appearances.
Following his spell at Milan, Mauri joined Argentine first division side Talleres in September 2019. He started 10 of 13 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club and most recently started three of four top-flight Primera Division matches for Talleres from April to May.
Born and raised in Realico, Argentina, Mauri is of Italian descent and represented Italy at the U-16, U-17 and U-21 youth international levels. He featured in 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying and was later selected to Italy’s squad for 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying. Mauri’s older brother, Juan Mauri, has made over 150 professional appearances in Argentina and Italy since 2009.
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) signs midfielder Jose Mauri on a contract through 2022 with an option for 2023.
VITALS
Jose Mauri
Position: Midfielder
Born: 5/16/1996 (25 years old)
Height: 5-6
Weight: 143 lbs.
Hometown: Realico, Argentina
Birthplace: Realico, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina, Italy
Previous Club: Club Atletico Talleres (Argentina)
Twitter: @maurijose5
Instagram: @josemauri5
