Alessandro Del Piero reveals the TWO Premier League clubs he rejected so that he could stay at Juventus… as the Italy legend insists he would have ‘loved’ to play in England

Throughout his illustrious playing career, there wasn’t much that Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero couldn’t achieve.

The Juventus icon won six Serie A titles with the Italian giants, during his 705 appearances for the club, and also played in a Champions League final for the club.

However, the World Cup winner has revealed that the one dream he never achieved was to play in the Premier League, even though he twice came close to a move to England.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Soccer Aid, where the striker will be part of the Rest of the World squad against England, De Piero was asked by talkSPORT if he ever got the chance to move to England during his playing days.

“Yes, it happened with Newcastle and Man United,” he said.

The Italian became a legend at Juventus where he played almost his entire career

Alessandro Del Piero was part of the Italian team that won the World Cup in Germany in 2006

‘It didn’t happen in the end because I was captain of Juve and I was happy at Juve and for me it was everything. I was a Juventus fan from the beginning, when I was a young child.

‘I wasn’t looking for more money or more things. They gave me good money in Turin and I became a captain and stayed there for 19 years, from paradise to hell, and I’m happy with that. It is a unique story and a unique journey.

‘Of course I would have liked the opportunity to play here, because I have always loved playing here, but that didn’t happen.’

Del Piero was followed by Manchester United in 2006 after Juve’s relegation to Serie B following the match-fixing scandal.

Sir Alex Ferguson was long a fan of the Italian maverick, but despite interest from Old Trafford, Del Piero remained in Turin to spearhead their return to the top level.

Looking back on this moment, the now 49-year-old says he still has no regrets about choosing to stay at Juventus.

He added: ‘I have no regrets because everything I have chosen in my career I have no regrets, including the relegation at Juventus.

“That was a tough choice, but I’m still glad I made it because I really believe in one way and that’s still my way.

In almost twenty years at the club, Del Piero (left) won six league titles and the Champions League in 1996

Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to bring Del Piero to Man United in 2006, but he stayed in Italy

‘Every time I came to play in England it was a great atmosphere.’

Del Piero made his debut for Juve in 1993 and would score 290 times during his almost two decades at the club.

After leaving Italy in 2012, he had brief spells in Australia with Sydney FC and India before retiring in 2014.

He has won 91 caps for Italy and is the country’s fourth highest goalscorer, with 27 goals for his country.