Serbia defender Petkovic signs with Sydney FC

SYDNEY (AP) — Former Red Star Belgrade defender Nikola Petkovic has signed with Sydney FC for the upcoming Australian A-League season.

Petkovic also had a three-year stint with Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt and was a regular in the Hapoel Tel Aviv side which played in last season's Europa League.

Sydney head coach Frank Farina said in a statement Thursday that Petkovic "can play anywhere across the back four and will give our defense strength and depth ... he will have a big influence on the squad."

On Wednesday, Sydney FC announced that former Juventus and Italy star Alessandro Del Piero, in the second year of a contract with the team, will be captain this season.