Midfielder Marchisio leaves Juventus after 25 years

Veteran Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio rescinded his contract with Juventus on Friday, leaving the Turinese football giants which he joined at the age of seven, by mutual agreement.

He had started playing with Juventus' Youth Sector as a seven-year-old and over the years grew and rose through the ranks to eventually join the first squad in 2006, at the age of 20, reports Efe.

With 389 appearances, Turin-born Marchisio sits 18th in the club's all-time list of highest-capped footballers, according to the club's website.

"Twenty five years have passed since Claudio put on the black and white shirt for the very first time. Having had the opportunity to accompany him on this path, to discover a home grown champion, day by day, was quite simply a privilege and an honour," Juventus said in a statement.

With Marchisio on the field, Juventus have won seven consecutive Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia and three Italian Super Cup titles.

However, in the last couple of years, his playing times have been limited. He has also been plagued by knee injuries. This season, the arrival of Emre Can and a fast-emerging Rodrigo Bentancur meant that Marchisio faced strong competition in the Juventus midfield.

On his official Twitter account, he reminisced on his time at his lifelong club.

"I can't stop looking at this photograph and these stripes on which I wrote my life as a man and a player," he posted alongside an image of himself as a child, running with the ball while clad in the iconic black and white stripes.

"I love this shirt to the point that, despite everything, I am convinced that the good of the team comes first," he added.

--IANS

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