De Rossi To Leave AS Roma At The End Of The Season

By Max Wise

AS Roma’s long-serving midfielder and captain, Daniele de Rossi, will leave the club at the end of the season, the Serie A club have announced.

De Rossi’s last game for Roma could be against Parma on the final day of the Italian Serie A season on May 26, bring an 18-year-old association with the club to an end.

The 35-year-old will not be hanging up his boots just yet, but will be pursuing a career outside Italy.

De Rossi has made 615 appearances for the Giallorossi since making his debut in 2001, scoring 63 goals and has won two Copa Italia trophies for the side.

Only Francesco Totti, who made 786 appearances for Roma, has played more times for the Serie A club than Daniele de Rossi.

Club president Jim Pallotta said: "For 18 years, Daniele has been the beating heart of AS Roma. He has always embodied the Roma player and fan on the field with pride, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe, starting from his debut in 2001 until he assumed responsibility for the captain's armband.

"We will all be moved when, against Parma, he wears the Giallorossi jersey for the last time and we respect the decision to continue his footballing career, even if, at almost 36, he will be away from Rome.

"On behalf of the whole company, I want to thank Daniele for the extraordinary efforts made for the club. The doors of Rome will always remain open to him with a new role at any time he will decide to return."

At the age of 22, De Rossi was the youngest member of Italy’s FIFA World Cup winning squad at Germany in 2006.

De Rossi has made 17 Serie A appearances for Roma this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.