Massimo Ambrosini has become the latest in a succession of players to extend their contracts with AC Milan, after agreeing to take his Rossoneri career into its 17th season by signing a deal until June 2012.

Ambrosini has been on Milan's books since joining from AC Cesena in 1995, and developed into an influential midfielder following a season-long loan spell at Vicenza Calcio in the 1997/98 campaign. Capped 35 times by Italy, the 33-year-old has won the Scudetto four times – including this injury-plagued season, which restricted him to 18 games – and the UEFA Champions League twice among a myriad of other trophies collected at Milan.

The combative midfielder follows in the footsteps of Thiago Silva, Mark van Bommel, Alessandro Nesta and Filippo Inzaghi by prolonging his stay with the newly crowned Italian champions.