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Following the news that David Villa was the first announced signing of the new New York City FC franchise some had wondered whether this meant that the Spanish international was set for a stint at City during the winter prior to the new MLS season in 2015.
Wonder no more as it has today been announced that Villa will spend time with City's A-League franchise, which today were announced as being re-branded from Melbourne Heart to Melbourne City FC, able to play a maximum of ten games between October and December 2014.
Of the move, Villa said:
"It's very good for me in every sense. 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 marvellous experience."
There is an interesting article in The Guardian which speculates on Villa's - and City's influence - on the A-League, specifically in terms of the careful progress the league has made thus far. Well worth a read.
