New York City FC striker David Villa will begin training with the MLS club in January 2015, which opens the door for the footballer to play elsewhere after the end of Spain’s World Cup and until the end of the year.

Executives from New York City FC revealed today that the player will not be playing for Manchester City. However, they didn’t deny the reports that Villa could train and play a couple of games for Melbourne Heart in Australia’s A-League, or another club. The Manchester City-owned Heart club open their season in mid-October, 2014.

New York City FC officials did say that David Villa will be loaned out to play two high-profile games in 2014, to be announced at a later date, before he begins training with NYCFC in January.

“The MLS calendar, compared to the European calendar, is off. We’ve understood the challenge since day one. We’ve had to be flexible and fluid about how to keep him sharp in 2015. We have a plan,” said New York City’s sporting director Claudio Reyna. The club are confident that Villa be ready in time for the 2015 MLS season.