Antonio Nocerino has decided to retire as a player to become a coach and the 34-year-old after being without a club since his spell at Benevento.
The former Juventus, Genoa, Crotone, Palermo, Milan, Torino and Parma player leaves football after 247 games in Serie A, scoring 21 times and making 15 assists.
He was capped 15 times for Italy and has left a message on Instagram to bid farewell to his “only friend”.
Antonio Nocerino has decided to retire as a player to become a coach and the 34-year-old after being without a club since his spell at Benevento.
The former Juventus, Genoa, Crotone, Palermo, Milan, Torino and Parma player leaves football after 247 games in Serie A, scoring 21 times and making 15 assists.
He was capped 15 times for Italy and has left a message on Instagram to bid farewell to his “only friend”.
“The time has come to say goodbye to my great and only friend, football,” he wrote on social media. “A painful but thoughtful decision, my satisfaction is that I have fulfilled my father’s dream, which then became mine.
“I want to thank my parents and sisters, who with their sacrifice and love, helped me become who I am. My wife – my rock – and my children whom I love the most in my life.
“Thanks to the clubs where I played, the coaches I’ve had, the teammates from whom I learned a lot and the fans for their support and their love has always helped me give a little bit extra.
“I have decided to face a new challenge in life, to become a coach. A beautiful, new, difficult challenge that will bring me the same spirit, passion, love and professionalism that I had as a player.”