Alessandro del Piero thanks fans for 'perfect start' in Sydney

Italian legend Alessandro del Piero has thanked fans for making his arrival in Australia a very enjoyable one.

Del Piero joined Sydney earlier this month after 19 years at Juventus.

His destination after leaving Turin had become one of the transfer sagas of the summer, with Liverpool, Olympiakos and several Mexican teams chasing his signature.

A-League side Sydney FC were always favourites though and the 37-year-old described his first week there as "perfect".

"I want to say thank you to you all, my first week here has been perfect," Del Piero said..

"Very nice people and hopefully we will be able to win the title."

Earlier this week over 2,000 people welcomed Del Piero at the club's Allianz Stadium.

The former Juventus forward will play for the first time in a behind-closed-doors pre-season game against Central Coast Miners.

He also faces the prospect of lining up against Emile Heskey when Sydney take on Newcastle Jets.