An emotional Leandro Castan has bid farewell to Roma after six years at the club but hopes his brain injury has inspired the club to ‘never give up’.
Castan enjoyed first-choice status in Roma’s defence between 2012 and 2014, helping the club finish runners-up to Juventus in his second season, which saw them open the campaign with a Serie A record of 10 straight wins.
However, the Brazilian’s career in the capital was effectively ended by a brain cavernoma, with subsequent loans at Sampdoria, Torino and Cagliari failing to earn him a new contract at the Olimpico.
“The time for my departure has come,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Today I terminated my contract after six years at Roma. I arrived as someone full of dreams and had a so-so first season but broke into the Brazil team.
“During my second season, I thought I’d make my biggest dream come true of a Scudetto, but tough opponents [Juve] beat us to it.
“I went into my third season in the best form of my career and feeling sure that we’d win [the Scudetto], but I was suddenly faced by an opponent that I never dreamed of facing.
“Only my family and I know how hard this match was, but I won it and I’m more than proud.
“God really exists because I don’t know what I’d have done without him. For this, I thank God every day,
“I slowly lost my place at Roma, but I’ll be forever grateful for everything they did for me.
“I couldn’t win a trophy with you, but I hope to have left behind something even more important – never giving up!
“No matter how many times you lose or experience disappointment, never give up! I still haven’t given up and I never will!
“I’ll continue on my way, but I’ll always support Roma! God is in the control of everything! Forza Roma forever!”