AS Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has written an open letter after his on-off move away during the winter market.
Zaniolo has now moved to the family home in Spezia after being confronted by Roma fans over his lack of commitment to the club.
“Many things have been said and written in the last few weeks that are not true,” read Zaniolo’s letter to news agency ANSA.
“I arrived at Roma as an unknown player and the fans welcomed me as one of their own. They gave me confidence, courage and affection in the terrible and dark moments of my injuries.
“In Tirana, with that goal, I felt that I had repaid them for all that I had received, contributing to a great and unforgettable moment of joy for all Romanisti.
“At the age of 23, I have been through experiences that many of my colleagues haven’t had in their entire careers: falling down, getting back up, falling again, climbing once more, winning.
“In the last few months, it has been a delicate period for me, when it became difficult for me to understand what my professional future would be. However, I always worked hard on the pitch and in training with the utmost professionalism.
“For the first time, I was afraid, for me and my family, and I felt abandoned. It had never happened to me before and I was terrified.
“The future is in our hands: I hold out mine and put myself at the complete disposal of the Roma family.”
