Transfer Centre

Kaka will not renew Orlando City playing contract

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 11 October 2017

Former Brazil and AC Milan midfielder Kaka announces that he will not renew his playing contract at MLS side Orlando City as a player.

Former Brazil midfielder Kaka has confirmed that he will not be renewing his Orlando City contract as a player.

Earlier this week, the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner admitted that he was losing the "happiness" of playing due to increased recovery periods needed between games.

Kaka has now opted to call time on his playing time with the club beyond the end of the current Major League Soccer season, following two months of consideration.

"My first cycle as Orlando player is going to finish at the end of this season," the former AC Milan talisman, 35, told a press conference on Wednesday.

"Pain will not be the base of my decision. As a soccer player, everybody has some pain and we have to sacrifice our bodies for that. My decision is not based on my physical situation and will not be in the future."

Orlando chief executive Alex Leitao added: "Orlando will have to stand up and learn to walk without him. The doors will always be open for you in whatever you decide to do in the next phase of your life."

Kaka won both the Champions League and Serie A during his time at Milan, which saw him score 70 goals in 193 games for the Italian giants.