As sailed a fellow countryman so long ago, new Minnesota United goalkeeper Vito Mannone, too, crossed the ocean blue seeking adventure in a new world. Italian born and raised, Mannone has left behind a professional career built in England’s Premier League and second division for MLS and a new country in which he has vacationed, including his honeymoon in New York City with wife Fiorella.

“It’s a country I love and my family loves this county since the first time I came here,” Mannone said. “That’s why we came here repeatedly. I’ve never been to Minneapolis. I’m very excited, very excited to know the city, know the club, know the fans and get going with football.”