Udinese icon announces Friuli departure

Date: 29th April 2016 at 5:37pm
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Antonio Di Natale’s remarkable spell at Udinese will finally come to an end upon conclusion of the current campaign, with the 38-year-old confirming his exit.

Despite making a similar announcement about a year ago, when he hinted at retirement, a late run of good form for the Zebrette appeared to persuade the veteran striker to stay on for another season.

“I won’t be available to play tomorrow and that is something that upsets me very much,” Di Natale opened to the press ahead of his side’s meeting with Torino. “Unfortunately, I have a big problem that is keeping me from playing.

“I hope to return as soon as possible and the game against Carpi will be my last at the Friuli.

“Here, I lived 12 years intensely. My time at Udinese is worthy of a movie, but now, the star is gone. I am leaving with my head held high, knowing that I always gave everything to this club.

“I am proud of what I gave to this club. I reached personal satisfaction and am happy with the records I set. I want to thank my team-mates and the club for what were the best 12 years of my life.”

Perhaps surprisingly, the Italy international continued to reveal that this would not be the end of his career, just the end of his time at Udinese.

“I will not cease to play” he added. “I still have something to give to the game and want to chase the record of Giuseppe Meazza.”

Di Natale is currently sixth on the list of all-time Serie A goal scorers, with 208 goals. Meazza and Jose Altafini sit joint in fourth place with 216, while Gunnar Nordahl, Francesco Totti and Silvio Piola lead the way.

 

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