Buffon leaves PSG after one season in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain have said goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has left the club after 12 months in Ligue 1.

The former Italy international joined the French side last summer after 17 seasons with Juventus and won the Trophee des Champions and Ligue 1 title.

However, he and PSG suffered defeat in the Coupe de France final, while the 41-year-old was in goal for the disappointing 3-1 home loss to Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16 which saw them bow out of the competition.

"Thank you all for everything I have had the opportunity to experience in Paris," Buffon said. "Thank you for the emotions that we have shared together.

"Twelve months ago, I arrived at Paris Saint-Germain filled with enthusiasm, welcomed by the incredible warmth of the fans. It was really moving. Thank you, once again, from the bottom of my heart. I leave happy to have enjoyed this experience which has undoubtedly helped me to grow.

"Today my adventure outside Italy comes to an end. I would like to thank the chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the whole club and my teammates. I wish you all the best, convinced that together you will write the pages of a wonderful story. Ernest Hemingway wrote that there are only two places in the world where people can live happily: at home and in Paris. Today onwards, this will also apply to me: Paris, in some way, will always remain my home. -- Allez Paris! Thank you and good luck with everything!"

Club chairman and CEO Al-Khelaifi added: "I will never forget the pride that everyone at Paris Saint-Germain, both the club and the fans, felt when they saw Gianluigi Buffon wearing our jersey,.

"For the first time in his fabulous career, Gianluigi had made the brave choice to leave Italy, struck by our ambitious and modern project. During his time at PSG he brought his phenomenal experience and his sense of professionalism not only to his teammates but also to all areas of the club. We will miss his warm and open personality here at the club.

"'Gigi' will forever remain among the football giants who have worn the Paris Saint-Germain colours and shared the values of the club. We will be honoured to welcome him again next year, along with other former players, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our club."

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🇮🇹 Ernest Hemingway ha scritto che "ci sono solo due posti al mondo dove possiamo vivere felicemente: a casa e a Parigi". Da oggi per me queste due cose un po' coincideranno. Parigi, a suo modo, sarà per sempre anche un po' casa. Grazie per ciò che ho avuto la possibilità di vivere. Grazie per l'accoglienza, le emozioni e le fatiche vissute assieme. Uno vicino all'altro. Compagni di lavoro, di squadra e di viaggio. 12 mesi fa sono arrivato pieno di entusiasmo, accolto dall'incredibile calore dei tifosi. Mi avete commosso. Grazie ancora con tutto il cuore. Riparto più ricco e soddisfatto di un'esperienza che mi ha certamente migliorato e fatto crescere ulteriormente. Oggi si conclude questa mia avventura fuori dall'Italia: il @psg mi ha proposto un rinnovo di contratto che non mi sono sentito di accettare spinto dal desiderio di prepararmi a nuove esperienze umane e nuove sfide professionali. Ringrazio il Presidente Nasser, i dirigenti e tutti i miei compagni di squadra che mi hanno regalato tanti giorni di spensierata giovinezza. Vi auguro il meglio convinto che continuerete a scrivere insieme le pagine di questa importante storia. Allez Paris! Merci e bonne chance pour tout! 🇫🇷 Ernest Hemingway écrit qu'il n'y a que deux endroits au monde où l'on puisse vivre heureux : chez soi et à Paris. Depuis aujourd'hui, ça vaudra pour moi aussi. Paris, en quelque manière, sera toujours un peu chez moi. Merci pour tout ce que j'ai eu la possibilité de vivre. Merci pour l'accueil, les émotions et les fatigues éprouvées ensemble. L'un à côté de l'autre. Compagnons de travail, d'équipe et de voyage. Il y a 12 mois j'arrivais plein d'enthousiasme, accueilli par l'incroyable chaleur des supporters. C'était vraiment émouvant. Merci, encore une fois, de tout mon cœur. Je repars enrichi et satisfait par une expérience qui sans doute m'a amélioré et m'a fait croître. Aujourd'hui se termine mon aventure hors de l'Italie : le Paris Saint-Germain m'a proposé de renouveler mon contrat mais je ne me suis pas senti d'accepter, poussé par le désir d'affronter des nouvelles expériences...

A post shared by Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) on Jun 5, 2019 at 8:33am PDT

Buffon, who made 25 appearances for PSG across all competitions hinted in an Instagram post that he will return to his native Italy and claimed to have rejected the contract extension offered by PSG.

"Today my adventure outside Italy comes to an end," he wrote. "PSG proposed a contract renewal that I did not feel ready to accept, pushed by my desire to prepare for new personal experiences and new professional challenges."

Buffon has been linked with a return to formative club Parma, as well as the goalkeeping coach role with Juventus.