Roma have announced that Daniele De Rossi will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old will not retire a one-club player. He has plans to pursue a career away from the team he joined as a teenager.
After making his debut in 2001, the midfielder amassed 615 appearances and scored 63 goals. That puts him second on Roma's all-time appearances list behind Francesco Totti.
De Rossi won Coppa Italias in 2007 and 2008.
"For 18 years, Daniele has been the beating heart of AS Roma’s team," said club president Jim Palotta.
"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."
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
