Talks that started in 1971 got serious in 1975, but Pele hesitated, afraid his compatriots would think him a mercenary.
He was eventually convinced to sign a multimillion dollar deal in June 1975, aided by then-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who wrote a letter to the Brazilian government stressing how important his presence would be for bilateral relations.
The move was an instant success, with hundreds of journalists and photographers literally fighting to get a glimpse of Pele at his signing ceremony at the storied 21 Club in Manhattan.
SETTLING IN
It took the 35-year old a while to settle, but when he did the Cosmos were a force to be reckoned with.
They reached the league playoffs in 1976 and then won the championship the next year, with Pele making the all-star team both years.
His arrival saw crowds soar and advertisers flock to the club. Owners Warner Communications watched with glee as celebrity fans like Robert Redford, Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol followed the Cosmos fortunes, sometimes at the stadium and often at Studio 54, the hot nightclub where New York’s beautiful people gathered.
Pele’s success prompted Cosmos to sign other big names, including Italian Giorgio Chinaglia, West German captain Frank Beckenbauer and Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos Alberto.
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