Juventus midfielder Alessandro Del Piero is eyeing further trophies after signing a one-year contract extension with the club on Thursday.
The 36-year-old has been at the club since 1993, winning five Serie A titles to go with his Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League crowns.
Del Piero, a 91-time Italy representative, is also a World Cup winner after the Azzurri claimed the 2006 title in Germany.
He said settling the deal with the club was an easy process, despite talks going on since last autumn.
“It wasn’t difficult to reach an agreement. There wasn’t that much to discuss. What needed to have been done was done,” Del Piero said.
“We chose today to do it and it is a nice day.”
Despite his glittering success at the club, Del Piero said he still had more to achieve with Juventus.
“This team and this club should always have the maximum ambition and it is right to always think about winning,” he said.
The veteran said it was a nice surprise to sign at the club’s new stadium with his previous contract due for expiry next month.
Even at 36 years of age, Del Piero said he shared a similar passion for the game as he did when he was first starting at Juventus.
“The sensations are excellent, beautiful, just like they were in 1993,” Del Piero said.
“I’m happy to be here because as I have always said, I wanted to play for another year. The passion and love with which I train and play has helped me a lot and will continue to help me.”
Club president Andrea Agnelli reaffirmed the simplicity of the deal between Juventus and one of their club legends.
“Alessandro told me that he wants to continue to be the captain of Juventus and wishes to win another Scudetto in the new stadium,” Agnelli said.
“These words made me happy. Today’s signature is just a physical action. Del Piero can still give a lot on the pitch and send a message of the club’s values to his teammates.”
“He will also help us a lot next season, which for us will be one of redemption.”
Del Piero’s former youth coach Antonello Cuccureddu said a loan deal was moments away from being organised for Del Piero when former manager Giovanni Trapattoni was in charge.
He remembers watching him while he impressed for Serie B side Padova.
“It’s hard to imagine a career like he has had, but there was that hope back then when you saw what he could do. Innate class, he made the difference,” Cuccureddu said.
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