Wednesday 27 August 2014 18:15, UK
World Cup winner David Trezeguet has welcomed the impending arrival of former Juventus team-mate Alessandro Del Piero in the Indian Super League.
Juventus legend Del Piero is understood to have undergone a medical at the weekend and looks set to pen a deal to join the Delhi Dynamos franchise in the inaugural eight-team league.
An announcement confirming Del Piero’s participation in the ISL is expected soon, although Hungarian side Honved had made a late move to lure the 39-year-old to Europe.
Former Monaco and River Plate striker Trezeguet, who is the designated marquee player for FC Pune City, admits he is looking forward to the prospect of Del Piero joining him in India.
“In relation to Alessandro Del Piero - it would be an excellent opportunity to share our old memories of playing together,” Trezeguet told Sky Sports.
“If his arrival is certain, then it will be a great feeling to play together again.”
Trezeguet himself is excited to play a key role in what he thinks is an exciting chapter in Indian football history.
“FC Pune City is a club with good people working for it and I am glad to be chosen to start the history of a club which has the potential to be very big,” he said.
“The expectations are high but I have a desire to learn. This is a new step for me and it will be a very enriching experience.”
The league kicks off on October 12 and will feature former Arsenal duo Robert Pires and Freddie Ljunberg as well as ex-Liverpool Champions League winners Luis Garcia and Josemi.
Former England goalkeeper David James is player-manager of the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters franchise, and his first job was to sign up Michael Chopra in last week’s International Players Draft.
Former Newcastle and Cardiff striker Chopra has an Indian father and admits moving to India to play in the inaugural league is a special moment for his whole family.
"It’s a matter of huge personal pride and playing in India would be one of my biggest achievements to date," Chopra told Sky Sports.
"My grandparents are from Jalandhar in the Punjab and came to England in the 1950s. The connection to India is strong and my father is understandably very proud of this.
"I am passionate about utilising my football experience to achieve success both for Indian football and myself."
