Sydney FC in Italy in bid to sign Del Piero

ROME (AFP) –

Representatives from Australian club Sydney FC have arrived in Italy in a bid to sign former Italy and Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero, pictured in May 2012.

Representatives from Australian club Sydney FC have arrived in Italy in a bid to sign former Italy and Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero.

Sydney announced last week they had signed the World Cup-winning striker, only to be forced into an embarrassing u-turn on their website after a denial by Del Piero’s camp.

This time, Sydney FC’s administrative delegate, Tony Pignata, is hoping to make Del Piero’s signature definite.

According to ANSA news agency he arrived in Turin on Monday afternoon in a bid to begin talks with Stefano Del Piero, the player’s brother and agent.

The 37-year-old Del Piero’s 19-year career with Juve ended last season when the ‘Old Lady’ did not offer him a new deal after they had won their first league title since 2003.

As well as Sydney FC, Del Piero has been linked to Scottish champions Celtic, Premier League newboys Southampton, Sporting Braga of Portugal and Swiss side FC Sion.

If Del Piero decides to stay in Europe, it could be down to the chance to play Champions League football.

Celtic have been drawn in Group G with Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow while Braga have been drawn in Group H with Manchester United, Galatasaray and CFR-Cluj of Romania.

Del Piero began his professional career at Padova, where he played only 14 games before being signed by Juventus in 1993.

He remained with the Turin-based club until 2012 having scored a total of 208 goals in 513 appearances and was a member of the Italy side that beat France on penalties in the 2006 World Cup final.