Del Piero agrees to join Sydney

Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero will join Sydney FC after agreeing to finalise details on a contract with the A-League club.

Sydney officials in talks with Del Piero throughout the week say they have secured the 37-year-old striker’s signature ahead of Swiss club Sion and Scottish giants Celtic.

The club’s chief executive officer, Tony Pignata, will travel to Italy over the weekend to complete the signing.

“This is huge for Sydney FC, huge for the A-League and huge for Australian football,” Sydney chairman Scott Barlow said.

“We feel honoured that Alessandro has decided to play for Sydney FC and we share his excitement that a move to Sydney FC will create a lasting legacy for football in this country.

“I want to thank Tony Pignata and Lou Sticca for the outstanding work over the last few days in progressing discussions with Alessandro and look forward to Tony finalising the contract in Italy over the coming days.”

Del Piero had been linked with teams in the USA, China and the Middle East since finishing his career with Juventus in May.

Sydney will open their A-League season away to Wellington Phoenix on October 6.