Daniele De Rossi will call time on his 18-year career with Roma at the end of the Serie A season.
The 35-year-old midfielder made his Giallorossi debut under manager Fabio Capello in October 2001.
After making 615 appearances and scoring 63 goals, he has decided to leave the Stadio Olimpico following Roma’s season-ending clash with Parma on May 25. He will not, however, be retiring from football.
“For 18 years, Daniele has been the beating heart of Roma’s team,” club president Jim Pallotta told asroma.com.
“From his debut in 2001 to taking on the responsibility of the captain’s armband, he always represented the Roma fans on the pitch with pride as he established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
“We will all shed tears when he pulls on the Giallorossi shirt for the last time against Parma, but we respect his desire to prolong his playing career – even if, at almost 36, it will be away from Rome.
“On behalf of everyone at Roma, I’d like to thank Daniele for his incredible dedication to this club and ensure him that our doors will remain open for him to return to the club in a new role whenever he wants.”
De Rossi will address the media at Roma’s Trigoria training centre at 12:45 local time on Tuesday.
Provided by Press Association Sport
