Alessandro del Piero signs for Sydney FC, Liverpool snubbed again

05 September 2012 11:59
Alessandro Del Piero has completed his move to Australian club Sydney FC, despite reported interest from Liverpool.The 37-year-old former Juventus striker confirmed the deal at a press conference in Turin where he announced he has joined the A-League side.

Del Piero's move to Sydney hit the headlines last week when completion of the deal was delayed after Liverpool and Barclays Premier League rivals Southampton both reportedly made late offers. Aussie rules: Del Piero in on the verge of sealing a deal to join Sydney FC  Reds boss Brendan Rodgers admitted his frustration at failing to bring in a replacement for Andy Carroll after the striker was loaned to West Ham before Friday's transfer deadline.

Sydney chief executive Tony Pignata claimed that Liverpool had made a late attempt to hijack the deal.'Liverpool have come in - and they're a big club, there's no denying that,' Pignata told Fox Sports Australia.'But I think the attraction of Australia might sway us. We're all anxious. I'm sure there's a lot of fans out there hanging on to get a decision. We've just got to be patient. 'We've only been in these negotiations for a week and sometimes these sort of negotiations take longer.

We'll know soon one way or the other.'In addition to Liverpool and Southampton, Sydney also have reportedly also fended off interest from Champions League clubs Celtic and Braga as well as Swiss side Sion. Plenty to ponder: Rodgers has struggled to targets in the transfer market Del Piero, who turns 38 in November, made 91 appearances for Italy and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Juventus.He will join a list of former stars to have joined the A-League late into their career that includes the likes of Robbie Fowler, Romario, Juninho and Dwight Yorke.  

Source: mail_online