The Italian shot-stopper is on the verge of bringing an end to his six-year stay at San Siro.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has bid farewell to AC Milan and their fans in an emotional message on social media.
Donnarumma decided against renewing with Milan, with the two parties reportedly failing to find a common ground in contract negotiations.
The 22-year-old is approaching free agency and is expected to be picked up by Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer on a five-year contract.
Having spent all his senior career at San Siro so far, Donnarumma, who recently became a national hero after leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory, now yearns for a change in scenery.
“Some choices are difficult, but they are part of a man’s growth,” the Italian shot-stopper wrote in an Instagram post.
“I arrived at Milan when I was little more than a child, for eight years I wore this shirt with pride, we fought, suffered, won, cried, celebrated, together with my teammates, my coaches, all those who have made and are part of the Club, together with our fans who are an integral part of what has been a family for many years.
“In the Rossoneri shirt I also achieved personal goals, such as my debut at 16 in Serie A. I lived through extraordinary years that I will never forget.
“Now the time has come to say goodbye, a choice that was not easy, indeed, and certainly a post is not enough to explain it, or perhaps it cannot even be explained because the deepest feelings can hardly be translated into words. What I can say is that sometimes it is right to choose to change, to face different challenges, to grow, to complete oneself.
“All the Rossoneri I met, from the first to the last day, will always remain in my heart as an important, indeed fundamental part of the life path that made me what I am.
“I wish Milan all possible successes and I do it with my heart, for the affection that binds me to these colors, a feeling that distance and time cannot erase.”
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