AFP, Sydney :
Spanish great David Villa’s 10-match loan stint has galvanised his rebranded Melbourne City club into one of the favourites to land this season’s Australian A-League title ahead of Friday’s kick-off.
Villa, Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer, will play with City, formerly Melbourne Heart, between October and December before linking up with New York City in Major League Soccer.
Villa, 32, was the first major signing announced by Melbourne since they were bought by English Premier League giants Manchester City earlier this year.
The Spanish World Cup winner, whose 97th and final international was against Australia at this year’s Brazil World Cup, ranks along with Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero as the biggest signing in the 10 years of the A-League.
Villa, who arrived only on Sunday, is likely to play in Melbourne City’s season opener against hosts Sydney FC on Saturday.
“I feel prepared. I’ve been working hard,” Villa said this week. “I’d like for the fans across Australia to have good memories and to enjoy my performances.”
Adelaide United coach and Spanish compatriot Josep Gombau said it was a big deal to have Villa play in the A-League.
Spanish great David Villa’s 10-match loan stint has galvanised his rebranded Melbourne City club into one of the favourites to land this season’s Australian A-League title ahead of Friday’s kick-off.
Villa, Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer, will play with City, formerly Melbourne Heart, between October and December before linking up with New York City in Major League Soccer.
Villa, 32, was the first major signing announced by Melbourne since they were bought by English Premier League giants Manchester City earlier this year.
The Spanish World Cup winner, whose 97th and final international was against Australia at this year’s Brazil World Cup, ranks along with Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero as the biggest signing in the 10 years of the A-League.
Villa, who arrived only on Sunday, is likely to play in Melbourne City’s season opener against hosts Sydney FC on Saturday.
“I feel prepared. I’ve been working hard,” Villa said this week. “I’d like for the fans across Australia to have good memories and to enjoy my performances.”
Adelaide United coach and Spanish compatriot Josep Gombau said it was a big deal to have Villa play in the A-League.
