His last domestic appearance was in the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid – his next will be for Melbourne City against Sydney FC in the Hyundai A-League.
World Cup hero David Villa will arrive on Australian soil next Tuesday.
The Spaniard will begin training immediately with his new teammates to gel with them before round one, and will be unveiled to the public on October 7 in the Hyundai A-League 2014-15 season launch at Etihad Stadium
The 2010 World Cup winner said he was relishing the opportunity to play in Australia.
“The overall goal is to help the team perform well while I am there, support the Melbourne City FC team, build relationships, enjoy the style of football the league [in Australia] has to offer and, obviously, I want to do my job well and help Melbourne City to win as many games as possible,” Villa said.
“From what I have heard, my arrival has generated a lot of high expectations for the club and I hope that I can meet them – and that I can help the players, the coach and the entire team to perform well this season. Hopefully, I’ll be able to play at my best level in order to help the team.”
Spain’s all time leading goalscorer will feature 10 times for the newly revamped Melbourne City outfit before returning to parent club New York City upon the conclusion of his guest-stint.
Melbourne City FC coach John van’t Schip expressed his excitement ahead of the 32-year-old’s arrival.
“It’s great that David will be arriving in Australia in advance of the season commencing,” van’t Schip said.
“We are looking forward to welcoming him to the Melbourne City FC squad and having him train with the group at the earliest opportunity.”
David Villa Career Highlights:
• First player to score 50 goals for his national team Spain
• All-time leading goal scorer for the Spanish National Team
• Won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 scoring 5 goals and was top goal scorer with 4 goals as Spain won the European Championships in 2008
• Part of the Spain squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
• Won two La Liga titles with Barcelona in 2010/11 and 2012/13 and again with Atlético Madrid in 2013/14
• Won the UEFA Champions league with Barcelona in 2010/2011
Player Details
David Villa
Pronunciation: Dah-vid Vee-Ah
DOB: 3 December 1981 (32)
Position: Forward
Place of Birth: Langreo, Spain
Previous Clubs: Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona, Valencia, Real Zaragoza, Sporting Gijon