A DUMBSTRUCK Dwight Yorke left Australia yesterday, promising to give Sydney FC a definitive answer on their $800,000-a-year offer within 10 days.
Staggered by the response his mooted move to the A-League club has evoked, the Birmingham City striker will today discuss a counter proposal in oil-rich Dubai before deciding whether to make Sydney his new home.
Simon Bayliff, the player agent who is travelling with Yorke, said the 33-year-old former Manchester United marksman was "amazed" at being approached by people in the street urging him to join Sydney and "profoundly impressed" with the club's infrastructure and professionalism.
"He's feeling incredibly positive. It's well known he loves Sydney [having been here many times before as a tourist] and the people attached to the club have been nothing short of exceptional," Bayliff said.
"He's been surprised by the reaction to him. Strangers have told him what it would mean to them to have him playing here. That has meant a lot to Dwight.
"Out of professional courtesy to Sydney, he will not drag this out. Sydney should expect an answer in 10 days or so.
"It's really a lifestyle decision. Dwight has a young son back in London and that plays a part, the place, the people and the football are also hugely important to him."
Sydney's part-owner, property developer Peter Turnbull, believes snaring Yorke would tap into a previously mute resource in Australian football - expat Englishmen.
He believes it would also promote Sydney's long-term bid to become the "biggest club in the southern hemisphere".
Turnbull added: "Our team is in Dubai for a three-game pre-season tour and we'll talk to Dwight again while he is there.
"He is a gentlemen and a great bloke who would fit in perfectly with us."