Sydney FC has paid tribute to Alessandro Del Piero following the conclusion of his playing role with the Sky Blues, their Chairman Scott Barlow said today.
Sydney FC has paid tribute to Alessandro Del Piero following the conclusion of his playing role with the Sky Blues, their Chairman Scott Barlow said today.
“Two years ago Sydney FC signed one of the greatest players to have ever worn a football shirt, Alessandro Del Piero,” Mr Barlow said.
“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 onto 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,- said Mr Barlow.
Alessandro Del Piero has made an unrivalled contribution to Australian football and growing the game.
“There is no doubt that Alessandro-s contribution has laid the foundations for a lasting legacy and he has inspired a whole new generation of Sydney FC football fans and future players,” Mr Barlow said.
“The next generation of Sydney FC stars will be the kids who came along with their parents to watch Del Piero on the pitch in Sydney.
“While it would have been fantastic to see Alessandro remain in Sky Blue, ultimately this has been his decision,” said Mr Barlow.
Today-s announcement will see Sydney FC and Alessandro now move to discussions about continuing Mr Del Piero-s relationship with Sydney FC.
“Today is bitter-sweet. While we would have liked to see Alessandro remain at Sydney, his decision now allows us to further our discussions about some exciting new opportunities for our ongoing relationship and to build on the legacy that has been started.
“On behalf of everyone at Sydney FC I would like to say thank you to Alessandro for the enormous contribution he has made to our club over the last two years.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have him at our club and we look forward to seeing him in the near future when he is next back in Sydney,” said Mr Barlow.
