Del Piero rejects Ajaccio move

Alessandro Del Piero has turned down a move to Ligue 1 club Ajaccio.

The Corsican outfit, who appointed Del Piero’s compatriot and former Juventus team-mate Fabrizio Ravanelli as their new manager earlier in the month, have revealed that they made an approach for the 38-year-old as they try to add to their squad ahead of the new season.

Del Piero – who left Juventus to join Sydney FC in September 2012 – initially agreed to move to the Stade Francois Coty, but has since had a change of heart, opting to remain with the A-League club, who will be aiming to secure their second league title when the new campaign starts in October.

A statement on Ajaccio’s official website read: “For several weeks now, the club has been in advanced talks with the famous Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero. Aged 38 and currently a Sydney FC player, the striker won’t come to AC Ajaccio after all.

“After finding an agreement in principle, Alessandro Del Piero has decided to continue his adventure in Australia for family reasons.”

Ajaccio finished 17th in Ligue 1 last term, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

Del Piero made 24 appearances for Sydney during the previous A-League campaign, scoring 14 goals.