AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini is hopeful Gianluigi Donnarumma will stay at the San Siro for the rest of his career like the defender.

Maldini made his first team debut for Milan at 17 and went on to play for the Italian giants for 25 seasons. In that time he won Serie A seven times and the Champions League on five occasions.

His commitment to the cause saw him earn a permanent place in the affections of fans of Milan.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made his AC Milan debut at 16 and has gone on to establish himself

Paolo Maldini (right) said he hoped the young 'keeper would be able to replicate his success

Donnarumma broke through at 16, replacing Diego Lopez between the sticks, and has gone on to demonstrate his ability to become one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

'I hope Gianluigi Donnarumma can have a career like mine and I think he hopes so too,' Maldini told Top Calcio 24 as reported by Goal.com.

'He'll have to be lucky, because I was fortunate enough to make my debut in a side where there was space for young players.'

Donnarumma has understandably been targeted by some of Europe's other top sides. Maldini himself had offers to leave Milan in the 1990s.

Donnarumma will have to be lucky, said Maldini, due to a lack of chances for youngsters

And he revealed that he could have been plying his trade in the Premier League, had he chosen to move.

He continued: 'I received two offers in the mid-1990s: one from Chelsea and the other from Arsenal.

'In those years Milan had two seasons with a few problems, but I never intended to leave. We met for the contract renewal and both said we wanted to continue together.'