Stam steps down
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Article summary
Defender Jaap Stam has announced that he will retire from international football after UEFA EURO 2004™.
Article body
Milan move
The 31-year-old, who recently joined AC Milan from S.S. Lazio in a €10.5m deal, said he no longer wished to be considered for the Netherlands after this summer's tournament in Portugal. He is in line to win his 60th cap in Saturday's friendly against Belgium.
Family ties
"With AC Milan I will already be away from home a lot, and I have a family to consider as well as my career," said Stam, who made his international debut in a friendly against Germany on 24 March 1996. "That is why I will play my final match in Portugal."
Club career
Stam began his professional career with FC Zwolle and played for SC Cambuur Leeuwarden and Willem II before moving to PSV Eindhoven. He signed for Manchester United FC in 1998 and was part of the side that won the treble of UEFA Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup in 1999. He joined Lazio two years later in a €26.8m transfer.
