Daniele De Rossi held a news conference on Tuesday after Roman announced that he is leaving his hometown club after 18 years.

De Rossi’s contract expires at the end of the season and, while a director’s role was offered to him, the 35-year-old midfielder believes he still has much to contribute on the field.

All the Roma players were sat in the front rows at the news conference, wearing team jerseys with his name on the back. Forward Edin Dzeko led a standing ovation at the end and De Rossi embraced each of his soon-to-be-former team-mates.

De Rossi has played in 615 matches for Roma, second on the all-time appearance list to Francesco Totti. He’s also scored 63 times.

De Rossi also made 117 appearances for Italy, scoring 21 goals, and won the 2006 World Cup.