Seedorf: “Milan, I am leaving a family”

CLARENCE SEEDORF has waved goodbye to Milan in an official press conference on Thursday noon.

Seedorf has decided to follow the footsteps of Flavio Roma, Alessandro Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mark Van Bommel, Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi, as he ends his long and successful time with Milan.

The Dutchman joined Milan in 2002 from city rivals Inter and he turned into a legend in red & black. Seedorf spent 10 beautiful years at Milan but has decided to call time on his Milan experience, but won’t retire yet.

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“I chose to have my press conference here at Via Turati because that’s where it all started,” Seedorf told the reporters at first. “I thank everyone who has come here today. I want to talk about my 10 years at Milan. I will think about my future from tomorrow onwards. I’m getting many offers which I will have to consider.

“I am delighted about how my experience at Milan went. They were intense years, the seasons just flew by, as happens with all the beautiful things in life. I’d like to thank the club president and Adriano Galliani, all of the staff and everybody at Milanello. As for the fans, I would like to have the chance to thank them in a dignified way when the right moment comes along. I thank Italy, which has been my home for 13 years.

“There will always be a special bond, especially with the city. It’s been an important adventure, half of my career I have live in Milan with many different team-mates, who’ve allowed me to always be competitive.

“Up until a few days ago I hadn’t decided anything. My decision to leave Milan was only made recently. I’m really sad that I’m leaving Milan because Milan truly is a family. I will continue to play football in another team. I will take all the time that I need to make the best decision for me. I want to have a new experience. The moment has arrived for me to change. In my heart, I will keep all the people that I’ve met at Milanello.

“Milanello was my home for all these years. In my heart, I will also keep the memories from San Siro when we played Manchester United in 2007. The 2007/2007 season was the most difficult for me. That night against Man United at San Siro there was an incredible atmosphere,” continued the veteran midfielder.

“I’ll continue to play. I’ve so many offers even though I’m 36-years-old but at the moment I only want to talk about Milan. Why am I leaving? I’m leaving a Milan side that wants to remain competitive. It’s necessary for Milan to create a squad like the one that we had a few years ago. The Milan DNA will be important in order to stay at the top in Italy and in Europe. The Milan board has the experience and knowledge to face the challenge of replacing so many great players that have now left. The new Seedorf? There are many talents, but you need to make many sacrifices in order to win what Paolo Maldini and Billy Costacurta have won.

“Things have changed nowadays: I hope to see youngsters that, besides talent, have the character to reach and stay at the top. Currently the thing that I like doing the most is to play football. I feel good and I want to play football. In the future I want to become a coach or a director, but it’s early to talk about these things.

“I still want to have fun and be competitive on the pitch. After so many farewells, the new players must maintain the values of Milan. The same way we did it, they must do it now and those who’ve stayed need to set an example for the new players. Montolivo fits well into Allegri’s ideas about football should be played. He did well both for Italy and Fiorentina. Montolivo can do a good job for Milan and contribute something.

“I’m leaving a family – the Milan family, with people that I’ve spent more hours and days with than my own family. It was a difficult choice to leave Milan but I’m happy for everything that I’ve managed to do on the pitch. I will keep all the personal relationships that I’ve had with the people at Milan in my heart. These things will remain forever. I spoke with Ancelotti recently. I have a great relationship with him,”he added.

“It was beautiful to receive the applause from the fans at Camp Nou back in April. I thank the fans because it’s thanks to them that I managed to bring the best out of myself when I was on the pitch. I’ve always tried to give something to the fans and I apologise if I didn’t give some of them any autographs. I’ll never stop doing it. I’m always available for the fans when I can. It’s a gesture to thank my fans,” concluded Seedorf.

Seedorf is the foreigner who has played the most matches for Milan – more than 400 matches with the Milan shirt. His time with Milan has come to an end and he’ll be one of those who’ll be remembered.

Grazie Clarence!