Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed he is set to leave Juventus at the end of the current season.
The 37-year-old, who is third on Juventus’ all-time appearances list behind Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon, made the announcement after his side lost 4-2 to Inter Milan in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final.
“I give way to the youngsters, as next year I will not be here,” he told Sport Mediaset. “On Monday I will say goodbye to my stadium, and Fiorentina will be my last match. I say goodbye with joy to this team, of which I will be the biggest fan, because Juve will always stay with me.”
His departure is set to bring to an end a 17-year association with the Old Lady, whom he joined in 2004 from Livorno.
«Io cedo il posto a tanti giovani, il prossimo anno non ci sarò, lunedì saluterò il mio stadio e quella di Firenze sarà l’ultima partita. Dico ciao con gioia a questa squadra, di cui sarò per sempre il più grande tifoso, perché la Juve ti rimane dentro» @chiellini ❤ pic.twitter.com/xTRZOLzH4C
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) May 11, 2022
During that period, the defender won nine league titles and five Italian Cups.
“We had these 10 magnificent years, it is up to the others to continue now,” he added. “I did everything I could, I hope that I left something.
“It is my choice 100 percent, I am happy to leave at such a high level, because for many years I have said I didn’t want to finish struggling and not being able to play at my level. I gave it my all, soon I will be the biggest Juventus fan from the outside. After so many years within this club, you cannot shake it off.”
Chiellini has also retired from the international scene having made 116 appearances, which places him fifth in the all-time Italy charts.
He could be headed to the MLS, with Los Angeles FC reportedly keen on making him an offer.
