Football: Sydney FC want Del Piero to stay

SYDNEY: Sydney FC want Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero next season and beyond, the Australian club announced yesterday, adding his signing was a ‘long-term project’.

The former Juventus great last week said he was keen to prolong his stint in Australia but talks on taking up a second year option on his contract with the Sky Blues had stalled.

Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow said the club not only wanted Del Piero for the 2013-2014 season but possibly beyond. “We have always viewed Del Piero’s time here at Sydney FC as a long-term project and this was reaffirmed at our monthly board meeting early this week,” said Barlow.

“We would like for him to remain at Sydney FC next season and we will also begin talking to him about opportunities beyond 2014.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2012.