David Villa's New York switch a key part of Sheikh Mansour's 'City' revolution

When David Villa announced that he was leaving Atletico Madrid to become the first ever player to sign for the New York City FC franchise, it certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Why would the 32-year-old, who has never played his club football outside of Spain, decide to uproot his family and head to the MLS?

A clue lies in the interview Villa gave to the official Atleti website detailing his excitement at “an irresistible opportunity,” without actually specifying what it was or where it was at the time.

The following day, NYCFC were unmasked as his new employers, the Yankees Stadium his new place of work. There was just one small problem. His new club do not officially come into existence until March 2015.

So what does he intend to do in the meantime?

English lessons might be a good starting point. Whilst the language of football is universal with gestures and hand signals easily understood, Villa and his family will struggle to settle into the cosmopolitan “city that never sleeps” if they’re unable to converse efficiently with the locals.

It’s perhaps with that and keeping Villa fit in mind that a loan deal has been agreed with Australian side Melbourne City.

The Spaniard will join the club in October for a 10-game stint that will last until the end of November. In a league not too dissimilar to the MLS in terms of quality Villa will be able to retain a reasonable level of fitness and get a decent, competitive, run out before heading to the USA in the New Year.

Although the location represents initial upheaval for Villa and his family, it’s a sensible move for all concerned as an eight month sabbatical without any form of competitive action benefits nobody.

In any event, with 100ft high billboards bearing his image and adorning Times Square, it’s a safe bet that the league’s newest star man won’t be put at any further risk of sustaining an injury that will threaten to derail his projected start date.

Trying to adopt a “kid gloves” approach whilst allowing Villa to retain that sharp and competitive edge will be a difficult balancing act, but the movers and shakers at his new club will still be absolutely delighted at his capture. On a free transfer no less.

After all, it’s only four years since the Catalans paid in the region of €40 million to secure his services and his level hasn’t dropped that much.

Selected in Spain's World Cup squad, El Guaje, who is country's all-time leading goalscorer, will bring a touch of striking excellence to the MLS to rival anything that Thierry Henry is cooking up for local rivals, the Red Bulls.

Arguably Villa is still somewhere reasonably near to his prime whereas Henry’s career in Europe was already on the slide before he decided to move to the USA. Just take a look at Villa’s last 12 months at Atleti if proof were needed as to what he brings to the MLS party.

This isn’t some “Mickey Mouse” venture. Villa could, quite conceivably, become the league’s best and most important player since David Beckham strutted his stuff for the Galaxy and on that basis, his reasons for the move appear genuine and authentic.

Speaking via his new club’s website, he noted: “Throughout my career I’ve always tried to keep pushing myself to achieve new targets and this represents another important goal for me.

"It’s a real honour that the people who have formed the club have focused their attention on me. I’m keen to do the best I can, take on board that extra responsibility and prove my worth by repaying the confidence they have shown in me.”

Of course, he will be remunerated handsomely for his work but there seems to be a genuine desire on his part to help grow the MLS brand.

Sporting Director Claudio Reyna also appears keen for his club to be taken seriously. Strong rumours now surround the potential acquisition of England’s Frank Lampard by way of example.

That type of purchase makes sense given that Villa surely wouldn’t have been persuaded to sign by City CEO Ferran Soriano without prior knowledge of who might be lining up alongside him.

Clearly it was the link with ex-Barca man Soriano that clinched the deal, and the heavyweight business and football people behind the creation of the new club are sure to procure other exciting talent before the big kick-off.

Despite only having the technical staff and a temporary home in place at this juncture, the captures of Villa and potentially Lampard send out a real statement of intent to the rest of the league, whilst grabbing the attention of the locale.

It’s a real shot in the arm for the MLS and such strategic decisions by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayhyan can only enhance his own sporting portfolio and standing in the world game.

A win-win situation if ever there was one.

*Jason Pettigrove is a freelance FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and La Liga correspondent for @YahooSportsME as well as a number of other print/digital media. Follow him @jasonpettigrove.