De Rossi to play final Roma match against Parma

De Rossi, a Rome native and graduate of the club’s academy system, has made 615 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.

De Rossi will not be retiring from professional football at the end of the current season. The 35-year-old plans to pursue a new adventure away from Rome.

“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.”

As well as his record-breaking Roma exploits, De Rossi has also enjoyed a brilliant international career.

He remains the fourth-most capped player in Italy history, with 117 appearances, and represented the Azzurri at eight major international tournaments – famously lifting the World Cup, alongside Roma teammates Totti and Simone Perrotta, in 2006.

Nevertheless, the combative, inspiring midfielder will always remain synonymous with Roma, the club he has unfailingly represented with both class and distinction throughout his playing career.

De Rossi will hold a press conference at the club’s training centre at Trigoria at 12:45 local time on Tuesday.