Czech legend Pavel Nedved has declared that he would be leaving Italian giants Juventus at the end of the season.
Nedved’s current contract with Juventus runs out at the end of the season and although the former Ballon d’Or winner had earlier announced that he would leave Juve at the end of the 2008-2009 campaign, there were reports of both him and the club extending his career with the Turin club for one more year.
Nedved and Juventus were in discussions on Saturday ahead of their Italian Serie A match on Sunday and there were reports suggesting that Nedved would take a pay-cut and play for Juve for one more season.
However, it has now been announced that Nedved shall leave the club at the end of the season. In a statement released by the player on the official website of Juventus, the former Czech international said:
“After eight seasons with Juventus it is time to thank all the fans, my team-mates and the club, for all the support that I have received. In Turin I have won four titles and the Ballon d’Or. From Monday I will think about my future. I would like to thank in particular my wife Ivana and my sons, who have been very close to me and have accompanied me throughout my career as I have scored so many goals. I will continue to have lots of affection for Juventus and I am grateful to the Agnelli family for giving me the chance to play in this side. I want to say that the decision has not been made for economic reasons.”