Jezza 
2023 PREMIERS!
Joined: 05 Sep 2010
Location: Ponsford End
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| Post subject: Alessandro Del Piero to sign with Sydney FC |  |
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This is superb. This is the best A-league signing we've had ever. This is wonderful for soccer in Australia. I rate Alessandro Del Piero as being one of the greatest strikers in the world at his peak. Hopefully this boosts crowd numbers. I'll certainly be looking forward to seeing him come down to Melbourne when Sydney take on the Heart or Victory.
| Quote: | SYDNEY FC have landed the biggest coup in Australian club football history with Italian striker Alessandro del Piero agreeing to join the Sky Blues this season.
Del Piero, 37, spoke with Sydney chief executive Tony Pignata and player agent Lou Sticca last night and expressed his desire to make Sydney his first stop after two decades with Italian giants Juventus.
The club has reportedly offered him a $2 million contract for a six-month stint, a fee that would make him the highest-paid player in A-League history.
The Herald revealed on Wednesday that Sydney had made contact with Del Piero’s representatives less than 24 hours after marquee player Nicky Carle was allowed to go on loan to UAE club Baniyas.Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow hailed Del Piero’s probable signing as an enormous moment for the game in this country.
‘‘This is huge for Sydney FC, huge for the A-League and huge for Australian football,’’ Barlow said. ‘‘We feel honoured that Alessandro has decided to play for Sydney FC and we share his excitement that a move to Sydney FC will create a lasting legacy for football in this country.
‘‘I want to thank Tony Pignata and Lou Sticca for the outstanding work over the last few days in progressing discussions with Alessandro and look forward to Tony finalising the contract in Italy over the coming days.’’
Pignata tweeted soon after he emerged from the video conference in Melbourne: ‘‘Massive news. How cool will it be to see ‘ADP’ in Sydney FC shirt? Unbelievable.’’
Social media went into overdrive as soon as speculation leaked out that the deal had been agreed, with figures across the game expressing their delight at Del Piero coming to Australia.
Sky Blues coach Ian Crook said he couldn’t wait to link up with his new marquee player. ‘‘[Del Piero] is not just our marquee but the whole league’s marquee. [It’s] fantastic for the game as a whole,’’ he said.
Future teammates Pascal Bosschaart and Adam Griffiths – who described Del Piero as ‘‘an Italian God’’ – also expressed their delight over the deal.
Even players from other teams could barely contain their enthusiasm, such as Perth Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic. ‘‘Del Piero [is an] unbelievable coup for the A-League,’’ he said. ‘‘Biggest name to play in the league! Can’t wait for the season to start!’’
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who mentioned in May that Del Piero would be an ideal marquee signing, said it was proof that ‘‘dreams can come true’’.
Interest in Del Piero came from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US and it only became clear Sydney were favourites yesterday when Swiss club Sion and Scottish club Celtic failed to agree on terms. A rumoured late bid from English club Tottenham failed to materialise.
Sydney dealt with Del Piero’s brother and lawyer in early negotiations and spoke several times in the past 48 hours before finally speaking to the player last night.When the deal became public knowledge just before 8pm, the news quickly spread and was carried by media outlets all around the world. The contract easily eclipses the previous highest deal when John Aloisi earned $1.4 million a season when he spent two years at Sydney FC between 2008 and 2010.
Pignata and Sticca are understood to be flying to Italy tomorrow to finalise the contract. It is not yet known when Del Piero will start training with the club but with their first match away to Wellington set down for October 6, the club will ask him to move to Sydney as soon as possible.His first match on Australian soil will be against Newcastle at Allianz Stadium on October 13.
Del Piero is regarded as one of the best Italian players of all time and was named in Pele’s list of the 125 greatest footballers. He was capped 91 times for his country and scored 27 goals. Bookmakers Sportsbet.com.au slashed Sydney’s A-League title odds last night from $8.50 to $6. |
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/del-piero-to-sign-with-sydney-fc-20120831-255tw.html
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