Daniele De Rossi to Leave AS Roma After 18 Years

AS Roma captain Daniele De Rossi will leave the club at the end of the season, bringing an end to his 18-year stint with the Giallorossi. 

The club announced the news on Tuesday, adding the midfielder will not retire but instead "pursue a new adventure away from Rome." Club CEO Guido Fienga told reporters his contract will not be renewed, per Football Italia:

De Rossi spoke to the press later in the day, explaining he's not ready to retire:

Fienga apologised to the club legend for not approaching him sooner, and De Rossi admitted he wasn't happy with the decision:

Per Football Italia, he also took a jab at the club's notion he would be a great director:

The 35-year-old had been a one-club man up until this point, making 615 total appearances for the Giallorossi. That number placed him second on their all-time appearance-makers' list, behind the legendary forward and previous captain, Francesco Totti.

The club shared this video on Twitter to celebrate the gritty midfielder's time in the capital:

Roma president Jim Pallotta spoke about his departure and what he has meant to the club:

"For 18 years, Daniele has been the beating heart of AS Roma's team.

"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."

His final match at the Stadio Olimpico will be against Parma on May 26, per sports writer Adriano Del Monte:

De Rossi made his senior debut in 2001 in a UEFA Champions League match against Anderlecht, and emerged as one of the team's top midfielders in the following seasons. He inherited the captain's armband ahead of the 2017-18 season following Totti's retirement.

De Rossi and his father explained their passion for the club a few years ago:

While he has spent nearly two decades with the senior team, major silverware has mostly eluded him in Rome. He won the Coppa Italia twice with Roma, in 2007 and 2008, and beat Inter Milan to the Supercoppa Italiana in 2007, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.

His biggest on-pitch success came as a member of the Italian national team, winning the 2006 World Cup.

Roma's current vice-captain is Alessandro Florenzi, so it is likely he will take the role permanently next season.