Seedorf leaving Milan after 10 years

MILAN — Clarence Seedorf has become the latest player to leave AC Milan.

The 36-year-old Dutchman said Thursday at a news conference that “I am leaving after 10 fantastic years” and “they were intense years, so many seasons passed by so quickly like everything that’s great in life.”

Seedorf follows fellow Milan icons Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta and Filippo Inzaghi in leaving the club. Mark van Bommel and Gianluca Zambrotta have also left.

Seedorf’s deal expires this summer and he says he’d come to an agreement with Milan for a contract extension before deciding to leave.

He now wants to play on for another two seasons elsewhere before returning to Milan as part of the staff.

Seedorf won two Serie A and two Champions League titles with Milan.
Milan has agreed to sign Chievo defender Francesco Acerbi and Genoa’s Guinea midfielder Kevin Constant.

Milan, which lost its Italian league title to Juventus in May, is swelling its ranks having let several older players leave including Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi, Gianluca Zambrotta and Mark van Bommel.
Seedorf has not revealed where he is going amid reports he will join Brazil’s Botafogo.

“I will let you know soon about my future. I am taking my time. I have lots of offers,” added the man who is giving his Milan No. 10 shirt to Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side has drafted in Fiorentina’s Riccardo Montolivo and Nancy’s Bakaye Traore for next term but with Mathieu Flamini set to be released, another midfielder should arrive before the August kickoff.

Milan also said in a statement that midfielder Sulley Muntari had undergone surgery on knee ligament damage and is expected to be fit in five or six months. — Agencies