ITALIAN superstar Alessandro Del Piero denied rumours Friday that he was unhappy at Sydney FC and wanted out, insisting he had no plans to leave.
The former Juventus great, the biggest signing in Australia's domestic league history, has played a major role in increasing attendances, television audiences and media interest in the domestic A-League.
Now in his second season at Sydney, he denied he was looking to move in the upcoming January transfer window.
"I'm happy here,'' the 39-year-old World Cup winner told reporters.
"I'm focused about this season with Sydney and I don't have other thoughts about other teams at the moment.
``For me the future is here until the end of the season, and this for me is only rumours.''
Reports have suggested tension at the club, which has apparently had trouble convincing Del Piero to attend events that are standard for other A-League footballers, such as school clinics, community visits and sponsor events.
Speculation has been growing that the 39 year-old was unhappy at the club and would look at terminating his deal midway through his second year.
But Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata has denied claims that the former Juventus star was unhappy and looking for an out as soon as the January transfer window opens.
"I can categorically say (the rumours) are not true. Alessandro will be here in January and he'll be here for the rest of the season," Pignata told Fairfax Media on Thursday.
Del Piero has scored three goals in seven appearances and has missed two matches due to hamstring and calf soreness but will return to face the Heart.
He will be joined by another veteran, former Socceroo Brett Emerton, who has been named to return after being sidelined with a leg injury for the past two weeks.
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