Del Piero 'drawn to Sydney'

He writes:

"My future has arrived. I am happy to announce that I am a player at Sydney Football Club, and this morning I signed my new contract.

It was not an easy decision. I wanted to consider all the opportunities I've been offered in recent months carefully. But in the end the most convincing choice was Sydney, in Australia, and today I can only say that I cannot wait to start.

Why Sydney? First, because I really want to go there. The project that was presented to me, I'm really drawn to it. I was fascinated not only from both a sporting point of view, but also from a personal point of view: I'm in Australia not only as a player to give 100 per cent, to give the best for my team, but also with a chance to have a new human experience that I am sure will be exciting.

I'm a football player, and I want to emphasise that. I know I will be a part of a football movement in Australia that wants to grow and succeed, and I know that you are betting on me to help achieve that. I'm going to win, to be competitive, to give everything to my new team, to be the protagonist.

I have been lucky enough to win everything in my career, and to finish a winner with team of my life Juventus. I was looking for something new, different, that did not have anything to do with my past: a truly new experience. And I have found that with Sydney.

Of course I don't deny that the "frame" has played its part: I'm going to live in an extraordinary country, which offers great opportunities for professional and personal life, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and in a country that has an advanced sports culture.

I am proud to be part of this and as of now I would like to thank all those from Australia who have already made me feel so loved and wanted.

I thank all the other people on my journey to this point too, all those who in recent months have surrounded me with affection, starting with the Juventus fans. All those who have called by my name at the first stage of the championship at the Juventus Stadium. It was great.

Thanks to my friends who have said unforgettable words to me. I will always be a Juve fan, I will be always on the side of my companions. For them, my phone is always on, even when in Sydney when you call, it will probably be night time.

Thank you, finally, to all those that I have tried, starting with the Italy team that offered me great opportunities. But I made a choice, a choice that concerns my principles, and those cannot be called into question. But really I am grateful to all those who have thought about me in any way, from all over the world.

From now on we turn the page. Today, my future is Sydney. And I cannot wait to start."

Alessandro