Spanish International David Villa Headed for Australia Before New York Season Begins

David Villa’s signing with NYCFC led to the question, what will the World Cup bound Spanish striker do until MLS season begins? The answer is join NYCFC sister club Melbourne City which competes in the Australian A-League.

NYCFC, Melbourne City and Manchester City are all owned by Abu Dhabi Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour.

Villa has been loaned to Melbourne City for much of the A-League season making him instantly one of the most recognizable footballers playing down under.

Regarding the loan move to Australia, Villa said:

“From a football point of view it’s the opportunity to play in a new league in a different country, and of course it will be ideal for me to get some competitive football in the period before the MLS season gets under way.

“I’m sure that playing for Melbourne City FC will be a marvelous experience.”

Ferran Soriano who has added Chief Executive responsibilities at NYCFC and Melbourne City to his role at Manchester City said of the Villa loan:

“We are very proud to have David Villa as part of the City family and are thrilled to announce he will play for Melbourne City FC in the A-League this (coming) season.”

Villa was selected for the 2014 World Cup by Spanish Manager Vincent Del Bosque despite his lack of regular playing time this past season at Atletico Madrid. Villa did start the UEFA Champions League Final where Los Colchoneros stood minutes away from a Domestic-European double when local rivals Real Madrid equalized in second half stoppage time. Villa and his Atletico teammates were then undone in extra time.

The signing of Villa was major news in the United States earlier this week, indicating the ability of NYCFC an MLS expansion team in 2015 to compete at the highest level for players. Frank Lampard who announced he is leaving Chelsea earlier this week is rumored to be joining Villa at NYCFC. With the World Cup looming though, any announcement about Lampard’s future might not come until England is eliminated from the competition.