Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

[westdog54]

Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

In a major coup for the A-League, Italian great Alessandro Del Piero has agreed a deal to join Sydney FC.

Following three days of talks with the former Juventus forward, the Sky Blues issued a statement on Friday all but confirming the biggest deal in the history of Australian soccer.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata will head to Italy over the weekend to finalise the deal, believed to be in the region of $2 million for a six-month deal.

The news is a major endorsement for the A-League, with several clubs in Europe and the Middle East including English Premier League giants Tottenham believed to have shown interest in Del Piero.

"This is huge for Sydney FC, huge for the A-League and huge for Australian football," Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow said.



Fantastic coup for Sydney. Del Piero was one of the best going around in his prime and I'm sure he'll have a little bit left in the tank at 37.

Thoughts?

Chops, are you a Juve fan?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

No Fiorentina. Juve = Collingwood

[Eastdog]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

It is a major transfer in Australian Football history. Could he have the same affect of the A League just like David Beckham did on the MLS.

[westdog54]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

No Fiorentina. Juve = Collingwood

In colour and culture I take it?

What's your take on Del Piero's signing? Do you think he'll have an impact? I'm guessing you'd know more about Italian Football than the rest of us.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

In colour and culture I take it?

Colour and popularity. Some of culture as well. We think pies fans are toothless while juventus fans/players are called hunchbacks in Florence. Deep hatred there, accusations of cheating and over 30 championships so more successful than Collingwood.

What's your take on Del Piero's signing? Do you think he'll have an impact? I'm guessing you'd know more about Italian Football than the rest of us.

It's great for the A-league. At 37 not sure how much influence he with have on the field. He was a bit part bench player last season. He is a big name and it's got to help the league.
Remember he scored the sealing goal vs Germany in the WC semi in 2004 which fortunately made up somewhat for 2 guilt edge sealers he missed in the 98 Euro final that France capitalized on.
Thought he never really got there at national level, at club level he was prolific, probably one of Juve's greatest all time.

[Topdog]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Colour and popularity. Some of culture as well. We think pies fans are toothless while juventus fans/players are called hunchbacks in Florence. Deep hatred there, accusations of cheating and over 30 championships so more successful than Collingwood.

The public comments this week by Fiorentina against both Juve and Berbatov had me in fits of laughter. They had no problems showing their hatred. Possibly the best public statement I've ever seen

[Sedat]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Remember he scored the sealing goal vs Germany in the WC semi in 2004

That would be 2006 Chops. The only major football trophy up for grabs in 2004 was won by the Greeks

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Italian media still reporting that this is not over the line yet. Sydney FC might have gone a little early. Hopefully they get the deal done. It would be good to see Del Piero playing in Australia even if it is for Sydney FC.

[soupman]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

It is a major transfer in Australian Football history. Could he have the same affect of the A League just like David Beckham did on the MLS.

Not sure it will tbh. Beckham had/has a profile that extends beyond just soccer fans to pretty much everybody. Del Peiro is a name only soccer fans would have heard of, it might attract bigger crowds ut I can't see it winning over the fans of other codes and really peaking their curiousity.

[Topdog]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Not sure it will tbh. Beckham had/has a profile that extends beyond just soccer fans to pretty much everybody. Del Peiro is a name only soccer fans would have heard of, it might attract bigger crowds ut I can't see it winning over the fans of other codes and really peaking their curiousity.

Beckham was also still in good form and I think only 30

[chef]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Looks like Liverpool are trying to sign him.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

I had a feeling it would fall through.

[whythelongface]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Done deal. Sensational coup for the A league.

[whythelongface]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Not sure it will tbh. Beckham had/has a profile that extends beyond just soccer fans to pretty much everybody. Del Peiro is a name only soccer fans would have heard of, it might attract bigger crowds ut I can't see it winning over the fans of other codes and really peaking their curiousity.

It will raise the profile of football in this country. it may not win over other fans here, but the impact of raising the profile of the A league will be huge. There is talk of beaming Sydney games into Italy plus playing against Juve. Hopefully this will attract other quality players to the A league.

[soupman]

Re: Del Piero agrees to join Sydney FC

Fair enough. I certainly can't argue against any of the points you have raised. I guess the point is that Beckham is a universal sports star, while Del Piero is a soccer star. Certainly though for the long term health of the A-League it has the potential to be a major step in the right direction.