Star signing Damien Duff joined Melbourne City for the first time on Wednesday as the Hyundai A-league club’s pre-season training camp in Manchester kicked off.
Duff, 35, has signed a one-year deal with City and together with Spanish national team star David Villa – who has inked a 10-game guest stint – are the big names at the newly rebadged Aussie club (formerly Melbourne Heart).
Villa will arrive later in the pre-season but for the Republic of Ireland winger, he’s had his first taste of action with his news Melbourne City teammates.
The Hyundai A-League outfit arrived in England on Tuesday this week and by Wednesday had their first session at majority owner Manchester City’s Carrington Training Centre.
City coach John van’t Schip’s squad had a pool session followed by a first training session on English soil. The session commenced in the late afternoon with Manchester City's first-team having used the facility earlier in the day.
Melbourne City are in town for 17 days to train at the EPL champion’s training base and to play a series of pre-season friendlies ahead of next month’s Westfield FFA Cup round of 32 clash with Sydney FC on Tuesday August 12 (venue TBC).
It’s been a big few days for the Aussie club. They flew off from Melbourne on Monday night after announcing a five-year sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways and launching their new home and away kit.
The new Hyundai A-League season kicks off on October 10. City travel to Sydney in round one to face Graham Arnold's Sky Blues.
Round 3 will see City play cross-town rivals Victory in a highly anticipated Melbourne derby at Etihad Stadium on October 25.
Melbourne City FC memberships for the 2014-15 Season are now available at http://membership.melbournecityfc.com.au