Redondo bids Milan farewell
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Article summary
Argentinian midfield player Fernando Redondo will leave AC Milan after the summer tour of China.
Article body
'Need to play'
The 34-year-old Argentinian appeared just eight times this season, watching from the sidelines as his side cantered to the Scudetto. "I'm really sorry to leave Milan but I need to play," Redondo said. "I understand that I don't have many years left in my career and the Milan directors understood me. I want to thank the fans for all the love they gave me in these years. I will be a Milan fan forever."
Title winner
Redondo joined Milan from Real Madrid CF in 2000 immediately after being voted the UEFA Champions League's best player by UEFA's panel of coaches. With the Spanish side he won the Primera División title in 1994/95 and 1996/97 and the Champions League in 1997/98 and 1999/00.
Severe injury
Milan paid €18m for his services, but within a month he had injured the cruciate ligament in his right knee and returned only at the end of 2002. Redondo, who agreed to forego his wages to thank Milan for their loyalty as he fought to regain full fitness, appeared five times in the Champions League in 2002/03 when Milan claimed the trophy.