Sydney FC end marquee mess with Juninho swoop - August 1, 2007

SYDNEY FC's prolonged search for a new marquee player is over, with former Brazilian international Juninho Paulista agreeing to join the club for this season.

Juninho, 34, is believed to have agreed terms last week and is expected to be unveiled by the club on Friday. The former Middlesbrough playmaker is set to make his first public appearance in Saturday night's pre-season match against Newcastle Jets.

Juninho has not played regularly since being released by his Brazilian club, Flamengo, two months ago, and had hoped to return to England. But a failed move to newly promoted Premiership side Derby County has convinced Juninho to join the Brazilian exodus to the A-League, where he becomes Sydney FC's first signing from South America.

While Sydney FC coach Branko Culina had shifted his sights to signing a striker following a failed attempt to recruit Dutch veteran Phillip Cocu, the recent collapse of negotiations with former England forward Robbie Fowler moved Juninho back to the top of the list of targets. It is believed Culina intends to use Juninho in an advanced midfield role, where his record suggests he can contribute a steady stream of goals.

Juninho will be the only foreign marquee player in the competition this season and is the highest-profile player to join the A-League since Sydney's previous marquee signing, Dwight Yorke. The signing is a timely boost for the club following the recent dramas surrounding Socceroos pair David Carney and Mark Milligan, who have made no secret of their desire to move abroad on the eve of the new season. Sheffield United, relegated from the Premiership last season, are believed to have made a formal offer for Carney late yesterday.

Two years ago there were only two Brazilians in the A-League, but this season there will be 11.

Milligan gives Sydney a boost as Carney departs

SYDNEY FC are virtually resigned to losing David Carney but "increasingly optimistic" of retaining Mark Milligan as the two Socceroos headed in different directions yesterday.

After two days of tense negotiations, Carney was finally given permission to fly to England yesterday afternoon to discuss terms with Sheffield United. The Blades, looking to bounce straight back to the premiership, tabled an offer for Carney on Tuesday, and while a transfer fee has not been finalised, Sydney are willing to use the bid as a platform for negotiation.

While Carney would be worth about €500,000 ($798,000) on the open market, whether Sydney ultimately receive true value for the Socceroos winger - who only recently signed a new two-year-deal - remains to be seen.

"Sheffield United have tabled an offer, and on that basis we've allowed David to leave," Sydney FC chief executive George Perry said. "But we've always said a deal has to be in the interests of all parties, and discussions about a fee are ongoing."

Nonetheless, there seems little doubt Carney will resume playing in England after revitalising his stalled career in the A-League. He spent five years in England, including four seasons in the youth ranks at Everton, but after being cut adrift at Goodison Park in 2004, he drifted through the English and Scottish lower leagues before returning to Sydney two years ago.

Carney was one of the last players signed by Sydney FC for the inaugural A-League season after impressing then-coach Pierre Littbarski in a trial, and while his form since has fluctuated, he did enough to earn his international debut last year, and was one of the few success stories of the recent Asian Cup.

Milligan, meanwhile, is due back in Sydney today after a farcical trip to France, where he refused to play in a trial last weekend after being asked to fill in at right fullback. Sydney FC claim Milligan left last week without permission, but after suggesting he would be sanctioned on his return, Perry yesterday played down his earlier threats of punishment. "We've had a couple of days of very amicable discussions with Mark and his management, and to all intents and purposes, the matter is now closed," Perry said. "There will be no sanctions, and we're now increasingly confident he will be with the club for the duration of the season."

With Milligan set to stay, Brazilian international Juninho Paulista expected to be unveiled as the new marquee player tomorrow [see story page 40], and with youth international Ben Vidaic signing a two-year deal this week, Sydney have 20 players confirmed for their roster. Two more players - another under-20 spot and a replacement for Carney - will fulfil coach Branko Culina's target of a 22-man squad. "If David [Carney] does go, then we intend to cast a wide net," Perry said. "We've already started the identification process, and a visa player is not out of the question."

Juninho joins Sydney FC

Brazilian star Juninho has agreed to a one-year deal to join Sydney FC as their marquee player for the 2007-08 A-League season.

The 34-year-old, a member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning squad, has agreed to join Sydney after previous stints with the likes of Scottish giant Celtic, English Premiership outfit Middlesbrough and Brazilian side Flamengo.

Juninho admitted that it was Sydney's genuine interest in him, which made him choose the A-League club ahead of several other sides who had made offers to him.

The Brazilian also dismissed suggestions that he would be troubled by the pressure of following in the footsteps of other international stars at the club such as Dwight Yorke and Benito Carbone.

"Always in my career, I've had pressure," Juninho said. "Once you play in the national team, you have to win all games."

Sydney FC coach Branko Culina was thrilled with the lucrative signing of a recognised international - who was always the club's priorty despite it being linked to numerous other high profile players.

"I'm delighted. Not too many players who have played in the A-League have played in a World Cup final," said Culina.

"He will make an enormous contribution and he will fit like a glove."

When asked which position Juninho would play on once the season kicked off, Culina quipped: "Wherever he wants to play."

The diminutive midfielder forged his reputation as an immensely skilled playmaker for Boro in the late 1990s.

After spells at Atletico Madrid and Vasco Da Gama, he returned to Teeside in 2002, scoring 11 goals in 41 matches.

Since leaving Boro for the second time, he had a spell at Celtic before returning home to play for Palmeiras and Flamengo.

He was a late substitute in Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in the 2002 World Cup final in Yokohama.

"Juninho is a true superstar of the world game, a household name to football fans around the globe. We're thrilled to welcome him aboard can't wait to see him run out in a Sydney FC shirt," Sydney FC CEO George Perry enthused.

Meanwhile, Culina revealed that Sheffield United bound David Carney's replacement is likely to come from abroad.

Juninho Profile:
Full name: Oswaldo Giroldo Junior
Birth: 22/2/1973 in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Height: 165cm (5ft 5in)
Squad number: 22
Previous clubs: Sao Paulo, Middlesbrough, Atletico Madrid, Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, Celtic, Palmeiras .
International caps: 50 including 5 goals for Brazil

Socceroo David Carney met his new fans when he took to the turf at Bramall Lane after Sheffield United revealed they paid Sydney just $125,000 for the winger.

Carney and fellow United new signing James Beattie paraded the ground before the match against Nottingham Forest.

New boss Bryan Robson revealed: "David is a young, exciting wide man who has just pushed his way into Australia's national team.

"He has good ability and we can encourage that. I regard him as an attacking wide player."

Carney had been estimated to be worth as much as $1 million - but the final transfer fee was settled for a mere $125,000.

The former Sydney hero has now signed a three year deal with the club which has been reported to earn him around $1.25 million a year.

Carney revealed he took advice from Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka before inking the Blades contract.

"It's good to finally be here," he told the club's website. "I'm looking forward to working with Bryan Robson.

"I had offers from a couple of European clubs, and I did think about it a lot but, having spoken to Mark Schwarzer and Mark Viduka about Bryan, that sealed the deal.

"I enjoyed my time in Sydney, and had a good couple of years there. I started to get coverage from the Australian press which saw me called up to the national team."

He added: "I'm a positive, attacking player who likes to get at players, get crosses in to the box and score a few goals."

"I've just played in the Asia Cup for Australia in Singapore and Thailand doing double sessions in roasting heat.

"I'm a bit jet-lagged at the moment, but I'll be fine and raring to go for the start of the season."

Sydney FC today unveiled Bing Lee and JVC as shirt sponsors for the next two A-League seasons.

The two companies both have the option of extending the deal for a further two years.

The co-sponsorship means the Bing Lee logo will feature on the home shirt with JVC on the shorts.

Away games will mean the opposite, with JVC - former sponsors of Premiership side Arsenal - taking prominence on the shirt with Bing Lee on the shorts. Most of Bing Lee’s 33 stores are in NSW.

Neither founding sponsor Healthe nor last season’s sleeve sponsor Star City will feature on the new kit, which will be available for purchase next week.

The strip differs from the ones used in the first two seasons of the A-League.

“Reebok the supplier for the A-League provided us with twelve or so designs from which to choose,” said Sydney FC CEO Mr George Perry.

“We got it down to two and then using a consultative process with the players and the coaching staff from a technical perspective, the fans, the sponsors and retailers.

"From there, we got down to a single design and that’s the one we will unveil today.”

Apart from the initial injection of funds, Perry says the sponsorship helps the club in the mid to long term.

“We’re getting there bit by bit," he said. "People are still forgetting that we are still only in our third season and whether it be a football club or any other business these things task a long time to build up.

"We’re still working our way through it but obviously the Bing Lee and JVC sponsorship go a long way to helping the finances, no doubt about it.”

Branko Culina jokingly referred to player salaries when asked how the sponsorship will benefit the team on the pitch.

“It certainly helps to pay Tony Popovic and Juninho’s wages,” he said.

“It gives us that prestige that is associated with our football club. There’s no doubt this will assist in other areas like promoting the game and I think Sydney FC has a duty to do that throughout Sydney and NSW.

"This kind of support will ensure that’s done.”

JVC divisional manager Carlos Prowse says that JVC is excited to be a significant part of this new alliance.

"We've had a presence on the international football scene since 1982 so we're delighted to extend our involvement to include Australia," he said.

"Our alliance with Sydney FC as one of Australia's elite football clubs and Bing Lee allows us to contribute to the growth of football in this country."

Check out this picture any many more in the Sydney FC Multimedia section.

EXCLUSIVE: The proposed new European club for Socceroo star John Aloisi is due to be announced within the next 24 hours.

Insiders on the deal – which is being brokered by four different agents across Europe and Australia - tell au.fourfourtwo.com that the six-figure move will see the World Cup hero exit Spain.

“It’s not Australia and its not Spain or Italy,” the deal insider tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

“Once we get over a few sticking points, the proposed deal will be announced later today or early tomorrow in Europe."

Aloisi, who’s last club was Spanish side Alaves, is the only Australian player to have played in the big three of European club leagues: Italy, Spain and England.

EXCLUSIVE: Socceroo striker John Aloisi has blasted Sydney's transfer talks as his latest move to a new club falls through.

Aloisi had appeared to be the Harbour City's prime target as their marquee player for the coming season.

But talks broke down with the club when the two sides couldn't agree on salary details and contract length.

Now a source close to Aloisi has lashed out at the way negotiations were handled.

"John would be doing the league a favour by coming back," said the insider who asked not to be named.

"The way they treated the negotiations with him was pretty disappointing."

The Socceroo hero - whose spotkick against Uruguay took Australia to the World Cup - now faces an uncertain future.

Aloisi and his family fly out of Adelaide today, bound for Spain where he set up home while playing for Alaves until his contract expired earlier this year.

Time is now running out for him to find a new club before the new season starts in leagues around the world.

Aloisi had hoped to be able to announce a move to a Scandinavian club today, but the deal fell through at the last moment.

"This club in Scandinavia... things have changed over the last day," said the insider. "Let's say, it's far from a done deal.

"Look, there are other clubs in Europe. With John, it's not all about money. It's about playing in a good league too, so there are options but time is fast running out."

World Cup legend Zinedine Zidane could be lining up for Sydney when they take on David Beckham's LA Galaxy.

The French hero - who made history when he was sent off in last year's World Cup Final against Italy - is reportedly in talks with the A-League club.

They want Zizou as their star guest player for the clash against former Real Madrid team-mate Beckham when Sydney meets Galaxy on November 27.

Tickets for the game went on sale yesterday - and 45,000 of the 80,000 tickets were sold in a matter of minutes.

But the introduction of Zidane to the teamlists would add a whole extra dimension to the game.

Sydney marquee player Juninho is also set to play in the match, the third recent World Cup star to feature in the game.

According to Sydney's Daily Telegraph, talks to bring Zidane in as Sydney's guest player for the season "are at an early stage".

But they say the approach is serious and Zidane is genuinely interested.

New rules for this season allow specially signed guest players to make seven appearances for their club, up from four for the first two seasons.

Zidane was already a football legend before last year's World Cup, frequently named as the best player of his generation.

But he went down in history when he was sent off in the dying minutes of the final for headbutting Italian player Marco Materazzi.

Sydney FC media manager Mark Worwood refused to comment on the report.

“We’re not making any comment on it,” said Worwood. “It’s speculation and we won’t comment on players, contracts and negotiations and we won’t be making any comment on this one either. Sorry to be a killjoy.”

Worwood instead said the club is focusing primarily on the upcoming season ahead.

“The season is less than three weeks away and we’re concentrating on that.
We’re playing Melbourne tomorrow night and the Central Coast in a few weeks time. We’ve got to win that first game and get Juninho ready to play.”

The FFA also declined to comment, saying any appearance was a matter for Zidane’s representatives and Sydney FC.

Sydney FC beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Olympic Park, leaving the reigning champions without a single win in their pre-season campaign.

Alex Brosque’s 34th minute goal proved to be the match winner, as he slammed home the ball from the edge of the area to consign Melbourne to last place in the pre-season cup and secure Sydney a belated first victory.

Seemingly intent to arrest their form slump, Melbourne grabbed the ascendency early, refusing to relinquish possession as they attempted to stretch the Sydney defence with their swift ball movement.

Archie Thompson signalled his intentions early as he embarked on a mazy run down the park, claiming the scalp of Mark Milligan in the process before running out of room.

But as the half progressed, undoubtedly hindered by the conditions, Victory’s once slick interplay deteriorated as amateurish errors crept into the game.

Captain Kevin Muscat was the primary culprit, along with much-feted import Carlos Hernandez; constantly sending passes astray as Sydney applied significant pressure in the midfield.

But while Melbourne’s midfield faltered, the combination of Ufuk Talay and Adam Biddle came to the fore and began to dominate proceedings, stylishly distributing the ball and creating openings for the likes of Brosque and former LA Galaxy player Michael Enfield.

And in their first genuine foray forward, the sky blues came agonisingly close to taking the lead through former captain Mark Rudan on 27 minutes.

After Biddle was fouled on the right flank, Olyroo captain Mark Milligan sent in a delicately whipped cross which found Rudan, who flashed a header inches high with Michael Theoklitos well beaten.

And after sustained period of pressure, Sydney broke through for the opening goal in the 34th minute as Brosque pounced on a poor Grant Brebner clearance before clinically angling a shot past a stationary Theoklitos.

Commencing the second period in the same fashion as they did the first, Melbourne almost snatched an equaliser on 50 minutes when a clearance ricocheted just wide of the post off half-time introduction Kaz Patafta following a goalmouth scrimmage, before five minutes later Thompson scorned Victory’s best chance of the match.

Receiving the ball at the halfway mark, Muscat pushed forward before playing a magnificent defence splitting pass which found Thompson, who cut inside and drove across the face of goal.

Having been a non-factor throughout, Hernandez was replaced mid-way through the second half by Adrian Caceres.

It didn’t take long for the Argentinean-born winger to make an impact as he ghosted past one defender before directed his strike wide.

Caceres’ introduction injected much needed enthusiasm into a lethargic Victory line-up, and coupled with the emergence of Patafta, who staked his claim for a starting berth, Melbourne were a transformed outfit.

And in the 77th minute, the on-loan Benfica player almost conjured an equaliser for his side, playing a wondrous through-ball that sent Thompson in on goal, but the Socceroo’s scoring woes continued, shooting wide with only Clint Bolton to beat.

As the game approached injury time, Melbourne pushed numbers forward in attempt to force the game to extra time, and they almost did so through Patafta, but the youngster’s long-range strike rocketed off the crossbar.

MISFIRING Sydney striker David Zdrilic is set for a switch to defence after failing to impress in front of goal.

His club has struggled to find goals in the Pre-Season Cup and went five competitive games without scoring between April and August.

Zdrilic was widely blamed for squandering his scoring opportunities in front of goal but so far Sydney haven't found anyone to take his place in attack.

But the rumoured move on Brazilian striker Patrick da Silva could finally give Sydney coach Branko Culina an alternative option upfront.

Now he's planning to move Zdrilic into defence to prop up his injury-plagued backline.

Zdrilic originally started out as a defender under Culina at Sydney United 10 years ago and re-appeared in the position in Sydney's recent friendly against Manly.

"One thing I always look at is versatility, it's so important in the modern game," Culina told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I know David can play at the back - he's aggressive, he's reasonable in the air, and he can see the game in front of him.

"He's definitely someone who could slot in [in defence], and I wouldn't rule it out."