ADP’s Sydney playing days over

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ALESSANDRO Del Piero's sudden departure from Sydney FC came after the club declined to re-sign him on the $4 million annual terms he earned since signing for the club in a blaze of publicity 18 months ago.

Del Piero announced his exit on Monday night, declaring: "Australia, the moment has arrived to say arrivederci" in a statement on his personal website.

Sydney said that the club would seek to "continue Del Piero's relationship" with the Sky Blues, thought it's understood that does not refer to any imminent plans for the 39-year-old to begin his coaching career here.

READ THE REACTION TO ADP'S DECISION BELOW

Instead he is likely to be offered some ambassadorial role, or involvement with the club's putative academy it intends to begin building later in the year.

It brings to a close an audacious signing that made Sydney FC genuinely global news, after Del Piero chose a move to the A-League ahead of offers from clubs including Liverpool when he left Juventus after almost two decades.

Though it's believed Del Piero had been lobbying for a third year in Sydney's colours, the club had indicated from the turn of the year that it was looking for a new marquee.

Potential targets have been discussed, though at a much reduced salary, after Del Piero's increasingly fitful contributions to his second season in the A-League.

What comes next for Del Piero remained unclear from his statement last night, in which he noted that "now I just need some time to think over all the prospective opportunities for my future".

However he and his family will leave Australia, though he will play here at least one more time as the captain of the A-League All-Stars against Juventus in August.

Del Piero generated huge interest in the A-League when he arrived. Source: News Corp Australia

On Monday night it was made clear that he has yet to decide on whether to continue playing beyond that, with an offer believed to have come from a club in Malaysia.

Sydney paid tribute to a player whose cache helped them achieve record crowds and memberships, with the merchandise shop at Allianz Stadium setting a one-day record for sales when his home debut came against Newcastle in Round Two last season.

Del Piero's signing was a huge success for Aussie football. Source: AP

"Two years ago Sydney FC signed one of the greatest players to have ever worn a football shirt, Alessandro Del Piero," Sydney chairman Barlow said.

"At the time, if you had said Del Piero would be playing in Australia, few people would have believed it possible. His signing was the biggest in Australian football history and it lifted Sydney FC and the A-League onto the world stage.

"Together we have achieved a lot and Sydney FC has grown in every way, with record crowds and memberships and huge interest in our club both domestically and internationally."

Del Piero added that his "greatest satisfaction is the rapid growth of the Australian football movement, with interest increasing incredibly for the public, television and sponsors, in this country."

Del Piero poses with the Golden Boot Award during the Sydney FC Sky Blue Ball. Source: Getty Images

"My adventure with Sydney FC is about to be concluded, and, even if it makes me rather sad, because I have had wonderful time here, I have communicated my decision to the club," Del Piero said.

"I'm really grateful for the last two years and for the club's request for me to remain and with whom, I am happy to explore new opportunities to continue our relationship.

"It hasn't been an easy choice, also because my life on and off the pitch has been fantastic, my family and I have really enjoyed these two wonderful years: Australia will remain in our hearts forever.

He would, he said, "remain a bit "Australian", and will continue to be close to the football movement in this country."

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