Argentine forward Hernan Crespo has revealed that he has cancelled his contract with Serie A side Parma.
The striker, who made a name for himself during the first spell at Ennio Tardini, decided to end his cooperation with the Gialloblu after becoming a bit part player in Roberto Donandoni’s side.
“I’m sad, I would have preferred not to do this but I had to for the Parma fans,” said Crespo at a press conference.
“It is not easy for me to today put a full stop at the end of my Parma adventure and 19 years of football at the top level.”
The 37-year-old returned to Parma in January 2010, an entire decade after leaving the Gialloblu for Lazio.
“President Tommaso Ghirardi and director Pietro Leonardi asked me to join in a difficult period for Parma, there was a need for a jolt and I wanted to return home.
“Things went well seeing as we finished eighth and I was the side’s top scorer.”
The player has now come to terms with his status at the club and decided to quit Parma for the benefit of everyone concerned.
“I leave calmly, in the knowledge that I am not part of the technical project here anymore and because Parma are in good health.
“I didn’t want to be a weight for Parma and it’s not nice to be left on the bench or in the stands, that’s why I took this decision.”
Crespo joined the Ennio Tardini outfit from River Plate in August 1996 and scored 62 league goals for the club before joining Lazio.
The Argentine enjoyed successful spells at Inter, Chelsea, Milan and Genoa before returning for the second spell at Parma.
Crespo is widely tipped to continue his career in India, but the player claims he has received offers from all around the globe.
“I have options, but I didn’t rescind my contract to go somewhere else. I have offers from India, China, Qatar and America. But nothing has been agreed.”
