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Reports: Del Piero set for move to MLS

A-League Rd 13 - Adelaide v Sydney

By FRANCO PANIZO

Alessandro Del Piero could be the next big name to hit MLS.

According to several reports out of Australia and Europe in recent days, Del Piero looks set for a move to MLS after holding talks with the LA Galaxy and D.C. United. The 39-year-old Italian has been a free agent since leaving Sydney FC last week and is reportedly keen on continuing his distinguished playing career.

Del Piero, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, spent the past two seasons with Sydney FC in Australia’s A-League. Prior to that, he spent 19 years at Italian powerhouse Juventus after beginning his career at Padova. He has 91 caps to his name with Italy.

It is unclear whether Del Piero would demand a Designated Player salary.

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What do you think of Del Piero possibly coming to MLS? Hoping a move transpires or would you prefer to see him go elsewhere given his age? Which MLS club do you see him being a natural fit on?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If you want a a 35 year old + Italian striker, just bring over LUCA TONI for like 2-3 million a year

    we need to tell the world MLS is no longer a retirement league. our DP’s will either perform on the field or sell a ton of seats.

    in fact why don’t we bring over Balotelli. 10 million a year can bring him over and tons of people would watch him play or just bring over Ronaldo. he’s 29. wait a year or 2 and get him over for 20 million a year. that will make MLS a top league in under a decade

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  2. This is awesome! First the NASL came back. Then the Cosmos came back. Now the strategy of using over-paid, geriatric South Americans and Europeans to sell tickets in our top pro league is back. Can’t wait to watch the next Soccer Bowl on the Ocho!

    Oh, it’s 2014 not 1974…disregard. This is stupid.

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    • It is pretty cool that all of those things are coming back now that you mention it. As long as they are side shows to the quality that mls has, bring it on.

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  3. He played well for Sydney (and I do wish he was coming back for one more for them), but he also (at this point) is old, slow, and constantly hurt. Think C. (not even going to try and spell it) Blanco his last year in MLS. Magic with the ball still and would easily score some great goals and make an offense better. Was obviously frustrated with his teammates ability level at times, so this could be an issue. Plays no defence (unless the man is right next to him) and really shows no interest in doing so. If you’ve got a roster that can handle being a man down while defending and you could get him for a decent price, I think he’s still got enough left for 1 season. A team like DC, who could use a splashy signing and has nothing to lose this year would be a good landing spot for him. But definitely caveat emptor as he has missed A LOT of games with injury this year.

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  4. Too old. Will probably be injured half the season. I hope he doesn’t get big money because it will make our league look like crap.

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  5. doubt it is for DP money because Adidas has been behind this whole thing. they are going to pay him via sponsorship deals similar to Beckham, if i had to guess. not nearly at the same level, but enough that would allow him to accept non-DP money.

    “has made an approach for the Italian forward in conjunction with major sponsor, Adidas.”

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  6. He has a skill set that ages well, but… he’s 39. He’s going to adjust to the distances, turf fields and summer weather? Not going to hold my breath for this being that successful

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    • Minus the turf, he’s been doing this the last 2 seasons…and has been hurt a lot. That would be my worry if I were to sign him. The ability is still there.

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  7. No way. 5 years ago he would have still been too old.

    the australian league is basically on USL level

    we don’t need him. we need LUCA TONI. offer him 2 million a year and we can get him or better yet

    pay balotelli 12 million a year and he’ll come to MLS.

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    • It’s not just lower level, it’s wide open Dutch style ball where he might get tackled some but nothing like here.

      I think he might be an interesting cog for the right team…..LA. Him tablesetting for Keane, Donovan, whoever’s around. But then that team is getting old and the risk would be everyone falls apart and the team goes nowhere. He could play someplace else and be a poor man’s Schelotto but I don’t think he’s got the fuel in the tank or durability to take an average side anywhere.

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  8. Leadership is more valuable than any skills he brings to the table. DC could really use that, as could more than a few teams. 39 is a bit old to be thinking of finding a new team though.

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  9. Good move on Del Piero’s part. Give him a few years to develop then he will be in Russia for the next world-cup.

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  10. according to some here, MLS is a better league than EPL or bundesliga, so maybe he should try there if no MLS teams want him.

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  11. I watched him play in few A-league games. Meh. Still has some moments, but he won’t be a difference maker. I suppose a few more people will be able to say they saw him play.

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  12. His strike rate in Australia was pretty good 48 (24) according to wiki. Still glad NYRB is not the team in discussion with him though.

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  13. He won’t be setting the league back if he plays well. That said, he’s going to be hard-pressed to find a team willing to throw DP money at a 39 year old.

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  14. Haven’t seen him play in years. How is his form? We all know what he used to offer. Sublime player…. in his day.

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  15. Is he still playing at a high level to offer something to MLS? If not, it is setting the league back, in my opinion.

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    • He played well in Australia but he didn’t play a ton of games, and it’s a lower level. So I think he’s a one and done type player at best with Juninho potential also. Your positive scenario is Djorkaeff with the same downside for year 2 if you sign him that long. And you’d have to cover for him defensively. Also bears noting that Australia doesn’t have the same physicality as here so I expect durability to be tested. We won’t give him the star treatment, he will get knocked around and we’ll see if he’s strong or brittle.

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