By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Botafogo midfielder Clarence Seedorf has retired from football (soccer) to become the coach at Italian club AC Milan, the 37-year-old represented the European giants before moving to Rio in 2012. The former Dutch international remains the only player in history to win the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs: Ajax Amsterdam, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Last season, he helped guide Botafogo back into the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier football competition, for the first time in eighteen years.
At a press conference held yesterday Seedorf said that his choice was not easy. “I am quitting football after 22 years. Last night was a difficult one for me but I’m satisfied with what I’ve achieved during my career and with Botafogo. I want to hug my teammates and wish Botafogo all the best. I want to thank everybody because this experience [playing in Brazil] has helped me to grow,” Seedorf said.
Seedorf will take over coaching duties from Massimiliano Allegri, dismissed from his post on Monday following a 4-3 defeat to Sassuolo last weekend. Milan, who have won the Champions League on seven occasions, currently sit eleventh in the Italian Serie A table, a massive thirty points behind leaders Juventus.
With Botafogo, Seedorf helped the club take the 2013 Campeonato Carioca. His experience and technique will be sorely missed as the Glorioso embark on their Libertadores mission.
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