Roma midfielder Perrotta to retire

Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta has announced that his playing career will not continue into the 2013-14 season.

The 35-year-old was part of the Italy squad which won the FIFA World Cup in 2006, and finished as a runner-up in Serie A on four occasions with his current club.

But the former Bari and Chievo star has now elected to retire, revealing that it felt right to do so with the Stadio Olimpico outfit.

“I definitely won’t stay on at Roma as a player,” he told Teleradiostereo on Saturday.

“I don’t think I’ll continue playing at all, in fact, as I’d prefer to end my career as an ex-Roma player rather than the ex of another club. I wanted to finish my playing days with this jersey and I feel it’s the right thing to do.

“It is possible my story with Roma could continue in a different way. It is only right their project continue moving forward with the players they consider to be valid.

“As I arrived at Roma quietly, it’s only right that I leave quietly too. Next year will certainly be better, especially as it’s difficult to be worse.

“The club has plans and will spend money to reinforce the squad, while the coach (Rudi Garcia) seems a good person who won in France and can have success here.”

Perrotta expressed sadness over the fact that his final appearance for Roma came in a bitter 1-0 Coppa Italia final defeat to cross-town rivals Lazio.

“The real regret is my last game, which shouldn’t have ended that way and it’s a painful disappointment I will probably never get over. That’s not how it was supposed to end,” he added.