Pirlo to depart AC Milan
Reuters - Wednesday 18 May 2011, 16:25
MILAN - Andrea Pirlo will leave new Serie
A champions AC Milan when his contract expires at the end of the
season, the Italy midfielder said on Wednesday.
"It's a mutual decision, I've had 10 unforgettable years
here," he told reporters.
The playmaker has been heavily linked in Italian media
reports with a move to fallen giants Juventus. He nearly joined
Chelsea two years ago.
Pirlo has suffered a string of injuries and was not a
regular under Massimiliano Allegri this season having lost his
much of his former sparkle.
Milan, who won their first scudetto since 2004 this month
and face Udinese in their final game of the campaign on Sunday,
said in statements that striker Filippo Inzaghi and defender
Alessandro Nesta had signed new one-year deals.
Inzaghi, 37, missed most of the season due to a knee
ligament injury.
The club earlier announced that midfielder Mark van Bommel
and reserve goalkeeper Flavio Roma had penned new contracts
until June 2012 while Brazil defender Thiago Silva is now tied
to the club until 2016.
The Rossoneri are yet to announce the futures of veteran
midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini as they
consider rejuvenating their squad for a major assault on the
Champions League next season.
Dutchman Seedorf is wanted by clubs in Brazil.
Milan are in the process of signing AS Roma centre-half
Philippe Mexes and Olympique Marseille left-back Taye Taiwo on
free transfers.