[size=1em]Signed and sealed ... Alessandro Del Piero is coming to Sydney FC. Photo: Twitter
[size=1.2em]AFTER a week of speculation, confirmations, retractions and negotiations, it’s now official: Alessandro Del Piero has signed for Sydney FC.
[size=1.2em]The news was confirmed tonight when Del Piero participated in a press conference in Turin’s decadent Principi Hotel, one that has been waited for as eagerly in Italy as it has been in Australia.
[size=1.2em]Sydney’s interest in Del Piero was exclusively revealed in the Herald a week ago and the club went public that a deal had been agreed last Friday - only for all parties to cool on that talk over the weekend, insisting that there was still more work to be done before the contract was physically signed. However, the deal was finally completed tonight, Australian time.
[size=1.2em]Upon signing the two-year, A$2 million-per-year deal - with an option of a third year - Del Piero has become the biggest name to ever set foot in Australian club football and instantly becomes the highest-paid footballer to ever play in the A-League.
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[size=1.2em]The 37-year old declared spreading the word of football in Australia was a project ‘‘close to me and my heart’’ and that he was thrilled at the prospect of living in Sydney and playing for the two-time A-League champions.
[size=1.2em]“I am extremely happy to be joining Sydney FC,” Del Piero said. “This is a very big moment for me because I want to continue my career in a new part of the world where I can make a major contribution and help grow the game I love. The most important thing for me has always been the football and I want to help Sydney FC be successful.
[size=1.2em]“This is an exciting journey for me and I look forward to joining my new team mates in Sydney shortly.”
[size=1.2em]Club chairman Scott Barlow declared it to be landmark day for the club owned by his father-in-law David Traktovenko, who is also the man who put up the massive wages to make the signing a reality.
[size=1.2em]“This signing is a major coup for Sydney FC and marks a historic day for football in this country,” Barlow said. “This is for all Australian football fans.
[size=1.2em]“Alessandro Del Piero is a global icon of the game and we are honoured he has chosen Sydney FC, ahead of many other options, as the club where he will begin the next chapter of his illustrious football career.
[size=1.2em]Del Piero began his professional career with Padova in 1991 but would make only 14 appearances there before making the switch to Juventus as a 19-year old. It was there with the Old Lady that Del Piero’s star shone brighter than anyone dared dream during an incredible stint spanning two decades.
[size=1.2em]He boasted a magnificent record of 208 goals in 513 league matches - and then scored a further 25 goals in 56 Italia Cup matches and another 53 goals in 129 European matches, all despite playing the majority of his career as a "trequartista" - a link player behind the strikers.
[size=1.2em]Despite his age, and despite being released at the end of last season, Del Piero still played 29 matches and scored five goals for Juventus - a season where they went undefeated in the league.
[size=1.2em]He is expected to move to Sydney in two week’s time, giving him a fortnight’s preparation before the Sky Blues’ first match of the new season against Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on October 6.
[size=1.2em]His first A-League match on Australian soil will be against the Newcastle Jets a week later at the Sydney Football Stadium.
大头家常菜 -- 炒疙瘩，耗油辣卤豆泡 (2008-8-3) datou2z 
发表于 2012-9-5 23:45
发表于 2012-9-6 11:37
