Melbourne City confirm David Villa departure
Melbourne City FC have confirmed that star striker David Villa will leave the club after the fourth round of the A-League season for an indefinite period with his return to Australia unlikely.
The Spanish forward has been touted as the biggest coup in Australian football history after signing on a 10-game guest stint for the newly revamped Melbourne side from parent club New York City FC.
However, it has now been revealed Villa will be departing for the United States for at least several weeks from October 31 onwards as he needs to fulfil marketing and commercial obligations, as well as helping his family to settle into their new home.
“We would obviously want a player of his calibre to represent the club in as many games of the guest allowance as possible between now and the commencement of MLS pre-season training in January,” City said in a statement published by News Corp.
“The precise number of A-League games that David will play will be determined by the best interests of the player and his now New York-based family and the prioritisation of the requirements of both New York City FC and Melbourne City FC.
“That means that his playing and training schedule will be the product of all of those factors and subject to ongoing assessment.”
With a second Melbourne Derby set to be played on December 20, Melbourne City will be hoping to secure Villa’s return as the headline act for the clash.
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