Clarence Seedorf to Leave AC Milan, Looks to New Challenges

Thirty-six-year-old Clarence Seedorf is set to end his time at AC Milan, the club he has played for during the last 10 seasons and the club he will always be most associated with.

The Dutchman announced that it is time to "leave a family," as he looks to play a key role in one last team before hanging up the boots.

"I have spent half of my career at Milan," Seedorf said, "and I only took the decision to leave the club recently. I am very saddened because this is like a family but I will continue my career in another team."

Goal.com reported that the midfielder has agreed to join Brazilian club Botafogo, but Seedorf has also been linked to clubs in the United States, England, China and the United Arab Emirates.

The man nicknamed Il Professore (the Professor) began his career at Ajax, where he set the club record for being the youngest player to debut for the club, when he did so at 16 years and 242 days old on Nov. 29, 1992. In 1995, he helped lead Ajax to victory in the UEFA Champions League, defeating AC Milan in the Final.

Seedorf then moved to Sampdoria where he played one season before a move to Real Madrid. After three and a half seasons, over 100 appearances and his second Champions League triumph, Seedorf moved to Inter Milan, where he played two and a half seasons.

Seedorf then switched dressing rooms in 2002 and joined AC Milan, where he has spent the last 10 years of his career. Seedorf was an intricate part of the club the entire time and made history immediately, as Milan won the Champions League during the 2002-03 season, making him the first player to ever win the Champions League/European Cup with three different clubs. 

He helped Milan to European glory again in 2007. With four Champions League triumphs in his career, he has won the competition more times than any club since the European Cup was reformatted to the Champions League for the 1992-93 season. Real Madrid, Milan and Barcelona have each won three times.

Seedorf still has the ability to compete, though he has certainly lost a step. He has a couple more years of good football in him, but his Milan years will always be his most memorable.