Football: Del Piero thrilled with Aussie stint

Vows to take game in Australia to new level as football chiefs hailed his signing as transformational boost to sport.

SYDNEY: Alessandro Del Piero has vowed to take the game in Australia to a new level as football chiefs hailed his signing as a transformational boost to the sport. The deal to bring the 2006 World Cup winner Down Under was sealed on Wednesday, with Del Piero opting for Sydney FC ahead of clubs including Premier League giants Liverpool on a two-year contract reportedly worth $2 million a season. The Italian legend, who spent 19 years at Juventus, scoring 208 goals in 513 appearances, insisted he was not heading to Australia for a holiday, saying he wanted to score goals and build the game’s profile. “I’m coming to Sydney to score and to win and I’m hoping that Australian football, with my help, can grow,” he said. “I’ve got the desire and determination to help the sport grow. I will give everything and put everything into it I can.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2012.