Del Piero's move to Sydney

After a 19-year spell at Juventus, legendary Del Piero is bound for Sydney FC to start ‘a splendid and fantastic adventure’ in Australia.

Being his own master since the end of last season, a top-flight forward was chased by Liverpool, looking hastily for a prominent striker. But 37-year-old held aloof of joining the Premier League giants at such a late stage of the transfer window. Instead, Alessandro signed a two-year deal with Sydney FC reportedly worth €1.6 million.

‘This signing is a superb coup for Sydney and I’m sure it marks the beginning of new era in Australian football,’ club chairman Scott Barlow said.

Author of myriad of goals for Juve, Del Piero is eager to improve Australian football with his experience.

‘This is a very heart-pounding event for me as I want to go on playing football in a new corner of the world where I can make a major contribution and help grow the game I love. Football has always been the first and foremost thing for me and I want to help Sydney FC be successful,’ said Del Piero in a press conference in Turin on Wednesday.

‘I’m getting off to an amazing adventure and I think it is the best solution at the end of a long road.

‘I’d like to thank every club that sparked their interest in me and also those people who supported me in this period.

‘I’ll move to a wondrous country and an amazing city. I leave a team after 19 years but I’ll continue to support them forever.’

Sydney’s chief executive Tony Pignata said, that it was an honour to have an Italian idol with them. It is also reported that Alessandro will be handed the same No 10 shirt he worn at Juventus.

Del Piero will open a new A-League season with Sydney FC on 6 October this year being up against New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix.