Dwight Yorke - the A-League’s original marquee maestro - is set to lace on the boots again for May’s Football For Fires charity match in Sydney, in a show of affection for the country he once adopted as a second home.
Now 48, Yorke will join the likes of ex-Juventus striker Claudio Marchisio and MLS legend Dwayne De Rosario for the ANZ Stadium fundraiser on May 26 - a match set to feature stars from across the globe, plus several of Australia’s golden generation from the class of 2006.
A plethora of other big names will be unfurled by the brains behind the game, match agent Lou Sticca, early next week in a push to raise millions for those affected by the blazes that have ripped through Australia.
The presence of Aston Villa and Manchester United great Yorke will add a layer of pizzazz and a slither of nostalgia for fans who will hark back to 2006 when the former Trinidad and Tobago impresario led a swashbuckling Sydney FC to the inaugural A-League crown.
The man who brought bling to the competition, albeit just for one heady season, has previously been linked with the Sky Blues’ coaching ranks, having graduated with a UEFA B licence.
He is currently an ambassador for Man United and has been a regular visitor to Australia, both before and after his stint as a Sydney FC talisman.
Yorke scored seven goals in 21 appearances in an orchestrating role for the club - coached by German international Pierre Littbarski - his flashing smile and larger than life presence hoovering up headlines wherever he stepped.
He has a close bond with Sticca - responsible for luring Yorke to the A-League at the age of 33 - and was happy to step up for the cause.
Four-time MLS Cup winner, De Rosario, 41, might not have Yorke’s global cachet but he’s a nailed on idol in North America, where the ex-Canada international’s 20-year professional career spanned San Jose, Houston, Toronto, New York Red Bulls and DC United.
De Rosario, known as ‘DeRo’, is a former MLS most valuable player and racked up 81 caps for his country.
Ex-Juventus captain and Italian international Marchisio, needs little introduction.
The midfielder has previously been linked with Western United, but retired last year - aged just 33 - having made 389 appearances for the Bianconeri.
His mopped up seven Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies along the way.
Marchisio was part of Juventus’ touring party to Australia back in 2014 but resisted subsequent offers to play in the A-League.
SOURCE: The World Game