Stankovic: 'Goodbye Inter'

By Football Italia staff

Dejan Stankovic has officially terminated his contract with Inter and wrote a touching open letter to his fans.

The veteran midfielder had been considering this move for some time and agreed to end the contract a year early by mutual consent.

The Serbian fan favourite said goodbye with an open letter on the club website.

“Dear Nerazzurri fans,

“This is your 'Drago' speaking, with a sense of emotion but also with great pleasure. I don't know if I can find the right words to say goodbye and to thank you properly for everything you have given me, your affection, your trust and your honesty.

“The last ten years have been the best of my life. I have grown both as a man and, with immense joy, as a footballer.

“My family and I want to thank the Moratti family. I'd like to mention my President in particular: he gave me the opportunity to wear the Inter shirt, which I have been happy and extremely honoured first of all to play in, and then with which I was able to win everything there was to win.

“There are so many people I have enjoyed being with and I'd like to say goodbye to each and every one of you with this letter, with these words, looking you in the eyes. I want you to know that you will always remain in my heart, even though I can't and do not want to name you all.

“I'll never forget the day I joined this club and my first press conference with our honorary president Giacinto Facchetti, a splendid person in every way. The photo I have of that day is one of my most precious memories. That was the day my life as a Nerazzurri player began.

“The thought that I won't be pulling on the Inter shirt anymore brings tears to my eyes but I've always been frank and the tears are real. Unfortunately, in life there comes a time when you have to move on and look forward. Those of you who know me know that I'll do so with great pride and determination, as I've always tried to do both as a man and a footballer.

"During my time in Milan I've played alongside some wonderful footballers and above all some wonderful people. It's hard to find the words to thank them all.

“It's been an honour to wear these colours and they will always remain on my skin. I'll never remove them; nobody can ever remove them.

“With all my heart, Dejan Stankovic.”

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