THE LETTER. «I’m changing teams because I was left out of the project, but I still have a lot to give and I want to end my career playing».
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With a long video posted on his social channels, Marten de Roon said goodbye to Atalanta and its fans.
De Roon’s letter
«Dear Atalantini, never – not even for a moment – did I think it could end this way. Is it difficult? Yes, it is. Also for you, who supported me from the first to the last day. You who gave me love, affection, emotion, unity, and a sense of belonging, which I will always carry with me. Because it’s not something that changes from one day to the next, but it’s inside me, engraved inside me. I will always define myself as a Dutch Bergamasco: in Bergamo I built a life, I lived my best years with you, Bergamo will always be my home».
«I want to thank you for your unconditional support, at the stadium and also outside. At parties, in photos, for the respect in conversations, in weekly chats outside Zingonia. These have been ten unforgettable years, ten years of brilliant and fantastic moments, with memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all the people of this club, of this family. All the people who work behind the scenes, who are unseen, but very important. I also thank all my teammates, who with me have lived many beautiful and epic battles on the field».
Ten years of memories
«I still remember that first match at the stadium, against Cittadella. Those old stands, so full of voice and life. The Creberg stand. The memory of the first meeting with the president: passionate, emotional, full of enthusiasm. The memory of the Festa della Dea and that kiss: you all know who I’m talking about. I remember the birth of my second daughter, in 2015, just after arriving in Bergamo. A city that from that moment became even more a part of me».
«I remember the terrible and painful period that soon after hit Bergamo and how much this city suffered. And above all how Bergamo, together with Atalanta, managed to rise united. City, club, results, belonging».
«And of course I remember that magical evening, the magical night in Dublin, something unforgettable. Something that once seemed unthinkable, lifting the first European trophy. And perhaps even more unforgettable was the celebration in the city, indescribable. The feelings, the emotions, the people, the city. So many memories».
«I was left out of the project»
«I accepted a change of club because I want to end my career playing. I feel that I still have a lot to give at a high level and unfortunately I was left out of Atalanta’s new project. And then I chose who changed my football life».
«Above all I want to thank you because you allowed me to live ten years inside a fairy tale. A fairy tale in which I had the privilege of being one of the protagonists. And if after these ten years there is one thing I can say without any doubt, it is that I tried to respect every day the slogan written on the collar of the shirt: the shirt always sweated. A motto that identifies the sense of sacrifice and work of the Bergamasco people and of me as a man».
«One day I will return»
«I represented what this club means. I tried to bring out the values of Atalanta off the field. To show affection for the club, for the city and above all for you. I tried to be an example, for my teammates, for the fans, for all those children who play football and dream. For my daughters. Never trying to be someone else, but always trying to be myself. Bergamo will always remain part of my life. One day I will return, thank you».
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View this post on InstagramA post shared by Marten de Roon (@martenderoon15)
