Handanovic Bids Emotional Farewell To Inter Milan After 11 Years Of Service

Captain of the Nerazzurri for the past four years, Handanovic joined Inter from Udinese in the summer of 2012 and made 455 appearances for the club, keeping 166 clean sheets.

The 38-year-old former Slovenia goalkeeper won one Scudetto, two Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups during his time at Inter. He also earned runners up medals in both the Europa League and UEFA Champions League.

He holds the record for the most penalty saves in Serie A history with 32.

Handanovic made 16 appearances last season as he lost his starting spot to Andre Onana.

A message on his Instagram page read: “After 11 years I don’t know if I can describe everything… I’ll try, because I’m bitter and sad but at the same time happy to have made a dream come true for so long.

“I’ll miss Inter, the San Siro stadium, the fans, and that thrill when the stadium pushes. They teach you and leave their mark, they explain what passion and courage are and why you have to sacrifice yourself every day to feel certain emotions.

“So many battles won and challenges lost, disappointments and joy. Being yourself counts for me more than anything in our world (football I mean) of hypocrites, I tried to be a man before being a footballer.

“I thank everyone. The companions of so many years in the Nerazzurri, coaches, staff, doctors, physiotherapists, warehouse workers, all the collaborators, presidents and managers of these years that have been so different, that I have lived in such a profound way and with such a strong sense of belonging that I couldn’t imagine before.

“I would like to thank our corner of the warehouse where we won games we lost and celebrated those we won, although many will never understand…

“I would like to dedicate a special thanks to the Curva Nord. In addition to the love for these colours, we were united by the direct, practical, honest, and consistent way of seeing football, which is not that of words and chatter. The attitude.

“Because I have always had clear in me the awareness of the difference and the different respect that deserves those who pay to judge and comment, even if they are wrong, and those who are paid to do so, in the various possible ways.

“How proud I am to have worn this shirt and this armband. I have experienced this privilege by always giving my best. I will try to play a few more years, this is goodbye, but I will always remain one of us. Thank you.”