Claudio Marchisio announces Juventus exit in emotional statement

Claudio Marchisio has terminated his contract at Juventus after spending 25 years at the club.

The Italian international had made 389 appearances for the Old Lady after making his first-team breakthrough in 2006 but found his role marginalised in recent years due to injury.

The 32-year-old midfielder made the decision himself for the good of the club and told fans in a post on his official Instagram page: “A thousand thoughts and a thousand images accompanied me throughout the night.

“I can’t stop looking at this photograph and those stripes on which I wrote my life story as a man and a player.

“I love this jersey to such a degree that, despite everything, I am convinced that what is best for the team comes first. Always. On a tough day like this, I cling tight to that principle.

“You are the most beautiful part of this marvellous story, so for that reason, in a few days, we’ll be able to say goodbye in a more special fashion.

“After all, 8 is nothing but an infinite gaze that looked upwards.”

Meanwhile, in an extract from the club’s official statement, Juventus wished the seven-time Serie A champion the best of luck, saying: “Twenty-five years have passed since Claudio put on the black and white shirt for the very first time. He was aged just seven with a mad desire to play for his hometown club and a head full of dreams.

“With every battle competed, every ripple of the net and every trophy raised, his childhood dreams kept coming true. In truth, we all lived our dreams side by side with Claudio. Watching him grow and become, year after year, a man, husband and father filled all of us Bianconeri with a unique sense of gratification.

“Having had the opportunity to accompany him on this path, to discover a homegrown champion, day-by-day, was quite simply a privilege and an honour.

“And it will be a pleasure to keep following him, with whichever shirt he will wear in the future. For the black and white stripes, as we know, will always form an indelible part of him and his story.

“Thanks for everything, Claudio! We wish you the very best!”

Where next for Claudio Marchisio?

Claudio Marchisio for Juventus in Serie A and the Champions League since 2009/10:

294 games
13777 passes
603 tackles won
570 interceptions
311 chances created
224 blocks
33 goals
28 assists

A loyal servant to the Old Lady. pic.twitter.com/JM21CG0gOh

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 17, 2018

Juventus’ decision to allow Marchisio to end his contract was taken in the interest of allowing the player to find a club where he will get more game time.

Last year, Marchisio was linked with a move to Napoli, with their former captain, Francesco Montervino, telling Channel 9 that club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was considering an approach.

Marchisio and his father, who is also the player’s agent, have rebuffed these links in the past, with the player stressing that he wouldn’t like to play for another Italian club. However, with Jorginho departing Napoli for Chelsea this summer, this could be an attractive move for both player and club.

With his age and recent injury record, a move to the MLS or China may not be off the cards for the Turin-born man. Marchisio played down moves to New York City FC and Montreal Impact in June but could now be more open to the switch after becoming a free agent.

But, given his extensive international experience and the fact that he has been a serial winner in Italy over the past decade, there is likely to be a host of clubs queuing for his signature.

A move to another top European league, possibly to PSG in France, or to Bayern Munich to help replace former teammate Arturo Vidal, would appear be out of the question.

 

 

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