Western Sydneys’ new marquee man has officially touched down in Wanderland.
Italian striker Federico Piovaccari arrived in Sydney on Thursday to join the Wanderers for the 2015/16 A-League season.
The 30-year-old has done the rounds in Italy, playing with clubs in Serie A, Serie B and Lega Pro, in Liga I in Romania and most recently played top flight football in Spain, with SD Eibar in La Liga.
He knows how to find the back of the net, having scored 84 goals in nearly 300 games in Europe.
After a long flight and a stopover in Dubai, Piovaccari landed in Sydney at 6am on Thursday and hit the training paddock at Blacktown International Sportspark the same day.
Piovaccari made no complaints about jet lag, but was surprised to learn how warm it can get during an Australian winter when The Sun caught up with him on Friday.
Speaking through an interpreter, Piovaccari said it is the first time he has been to Australia.
‘‘I’ve seen a lot of it through the tv so I’ve always wanted to experience it,’’ he said.
‘‘Now I’m here to play football, so I’m going to enjoy it.
‘‘It was a quick decision, but it is going to be a good experience for me and my family to come to Australia.’’
When asked if he had ever seen an A-League game, Piovaccari said he had seen one or two when fellow Italian Alessandro Del Piero was playing for Sydney FC.
Will he have the same impact for the Wanderers that Del Piero had for Sydney FC?
‘‘God willing, I can.’’
Wanderers fans are expected to get their first look at Piovaccari in the upcoming FFA Cup round of 32 fixture against the Brisbane Roar.
The Wanderers will meet the Roar at Pepper Stadium in Penrith on Tuesday, August 11 with kick off at 7.30pm.
