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.
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!”
— LC5 (@l_castan) August 1, 2018