A true legend! OTD in 2019, Roma announced De Rossi would be leaving the club

On this day in 2019, Roma announced Daniele De Rossi would be leaving the club following the end of the season.

De Rossi, a Rome native and graduate of the club's academy system, made 616 appearances and scored 63 goals to date for the Giallorossi in all competitions, putting him second on the club’s list of all-time leading appearance-makers.

He joined the club he supported as a teenager in 2000, going on to make his first-team debut in 2001 before quickly proving himself to be one of the greatest midfielders in the world. 

A dominant presence in the heart of midfield for nearly two decades, De Rossi eventually inherited the club captaincy from another Giallorossi icon, Francesco Totti – the one player ahead of him in Roma’s list of appearance-makers – in 2017.

At club level De Rossi won the Coppa Italia twice, in 2007 and 2008, along with one Supercoppa in 2007. 

“For 18 years, Daniele has been the beating heart of AS Roma’s team,” club president Jim Pallotta said. 

“From his debut in 2001 to taking on the responsibility of the captain’s armband, he always represented the Roma fans on the pitch with pride as he established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe.

“We will all shed tears when he pulls on the Giallorossi shirt for the last time against Parma but we respect his desire to prolong his playing career - even if, at almost 36, it will be away from Rome. 

“On behalf of everyone at Roma, I’d like to thank Daniele for his incredible dedication to this club and assure him that our doors will remain open for him to return to the club in a new role whenever he wants.”