Sydney FC close to sewing deal with Dwight Yorke

Australian side Sydney FC are close to signing former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, it is learnt.

"I've spoken to Dwight and he has shown his willingness to join us at Sydney FC soon," coach Pierre Littbarsky confirmed to Gulf News yesterday.

Yorke was in Dubai over the weekend to conduct talks with the Australian club. The talks were co-ordinated by Fifa player and match agent, Lou Sticca.

It has also been speculated that a Dubai club has shown interest in signing the 33-year-old international from Trinidad and Tobago.

But Littbarsky confirmed: "Dwight is quite interested in Sydney FC. He likes the way we train and the way we play. I think we stand a good chance to pick him up.

"I hope he agrees to joining us rather than a club here [Dubai] as we need him more," added Littbarsky, a former three-time German World Cupper.

Sydney FC is in Dubai to play a three-match friendly series and play their first match against Hatta Club today. Sydney FC is one of the eight teams involved in the new Hyundai-sponsored A-League scheduled to be launched in August this year.

"We have made the offer to Dwight and the officials and the player's agents [SFX] are still negotiating. I don't know if it is the money or some other personal reason that is keeping him from committing to Sydney FC," Littbarsky continued.

The former German playmaker is keen to have Yorke on his 20-man roster due to the experience he would bring to the team.

"He has played at a high level and he has the ability to score from any situation," Littbarsky pointed out. "He can bring in very different aspects to this team. But the most important thing is that he is still hungry for more."

Yorke is expected back in Dubai tomorrow.

Options
Dubai or Sydney, Yorke must decide

Stranded in the middle of the season, Dwight Yorke may end up signing for Sydney FC due to a lack of options.

Yorke was rumoured to be in touch with a club in Dubai even after Sydney FC's outright offer of £600,000 (Dh4,260,000).

However, the player might not be technically eligible to sign for a club in the UAE as the second and final transfer window for the season officially closed on January 31. But he may still be accommodated at Al Ahli for the Champions League this season.