A light session of ball work and stretching followed by recovery was watched by a very large media contingent from Australia and overseas at the club’s home ground Allianz Stadium this morning.

And Sydney coach Ian Crook was delighted that his jet-lagged superstar got right on with the business of training with the club as the new season approaches in three weeks time.

“He’s a great guy and he just wants to play," said Crook. "That’s what he’s here to do

"Today he wasn’t going to do a great deal but he’s stayed and done the whole session. Delighted to have him here.

"Obviously he’s got some great touches and he’s still feeling a little bit jet-lagged. He woke up early. He’ll be fine. It’ll take him a week to ten days but he’ll be fine.”

Crook said the Juventus great will play as expected as either a 9 or a 10.

“That’s where he’s made his career and I’m not going to go readjusting it now and turning him into something he isn’t," said Crook. “At the end of it he’ll certainly be in that front third.

Crook said his new superstar may be surprised by the quality when he plays his first game in the A-League.

“I think he’ll find out it’s better than it’s perceived overseas," he said.

“It’s probably a little bit quicker than what he would’ve been told. Harry Kewell came out and said that last year that the standard is better than what people think.”

Crook added the media circus surrounding the star Italian – which has been in overdrive since his arrival on Sunday morning – was being embraced by the club.

And he wasn’t concerned it would overshadow preparations for the new season.

He added: “It’s difficult in the beginning, truth be known. Everyone wants a little part of him and rightly so.

“It’s a fantastic addition for our whole game but in time I think it’ll gradually wane. We’re certainly expecting it to be a bit like a circus for a week but I’m sure it’ll start to quiet down.”

Meanwhile former Adelaide midfielder Paul Reid is set to sign with the club and will provide cover for when youngsters such as Terry Antonis are called up for national youth team duty, said Crook.

However the Sydney coach remained non-committal about signing Jason Culina. The former Socceroo trained with the side this morning as part of his rehab recovery from a serious knee injury.

The club has also cancelled their planned trial match in Budgewoi this week and will likely play a trial match mid-next week behind closed doors which will be Del Piero's first hit out in the Sky Blue shirt.