After two years playing in the A-League, Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has called it quits with Sydney FC after his contract expired following the club’s 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory earlier this month in the play-offs.
The club confirmed Del Piero’s exit on Monday via chairman Scott Barlow:
“Two years ago Sydney FC signed one of the greatest players to have ever worn a football shirt, Alessandro Del Piero. At the time, if you had said Del Piero would be playing in Australia, few people would have believed it possible. His signing was the biggest in Australian football history and it lifted Sydney FC and the A-League on to the world stage.
“Together we have achieved a lot and Sydney FC has grown in every way, with record crowds and memberships and huge interest in our club both domestically and internationally.”
Del Piero arrived in Australia on a $3.7 million move from Juventus. Over the course of two years the 39-year-old scored 24 goals for Sydney. The club reportedly are looking to work out a new deal with Del Piero, who appears to be up for exploring new opportunities.
“My adventure with Sydney FC is about to be concluded, and, even if it makes me rather sad, because I have had wonderful time here, I have communicated my decision to the club,” Del Piero wrote on his website.
“I’m really grateful for the last two years and for the club’s request for me to remain and with whom, I am happy to explore new opportunities to continue our relationship. It hasn’t been an easy choice, also because my life on and off the pitch has been fantastic, my family and I have really enjoyed these two wonderful years: Australia will remain in our hearts forever.”
While Del Piero has made clear he won’t be playing for Sydney, he has not yet confirmed his retirement as a player. So let’s just get out in front of this one and note the obligatory MLS links.
Before Del Piero signed with Sydney the interwebs were rife withhis potential move to New York, Montreal, and Los Angeles. So, two years on, will those links reignite with Del Piero’s announcement to quite Sydney?
One can only hope not.
Sure, a talent like Del Piero could be a draw for most MLS clubs and few would doubt that he could find the back of the net. But with nearly 40 years of mileage on legs that would likely still command at least a decent-sized price tag, one hopes that for the sake of MLS shirking the reputation as a retirement league, that Del Piero’s ship to America has sailed.
