Zielinski says goodbye to Napoli after ‘8 long years’ | OneFootball

Piotr Zielinski has said goodbye to Napoli after eight years with an open letter to the supporters, as he leaves as a free agent to join Inter.

The Poland international first arrived at the Stadio San Paolo, later renamed the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, in a €16m move from Udinese in the summer of 2016.

Before that, he had landed in Italy as a teenager in the Udinese academy in 2011 and also had a loan spell with Empoli.

Zielinski message to Napoli fans

“Napoli… my dear Napoli…” wrote Zielinski on Instagram.

“After 8 long years, we are taking different paths… you welcomed me when I was a kid and I leave as a man and a father. Naples was my home and will always be part of me and my family… I experienced unique and indelible moments that I will treasure in my heart.

“Napoli… you gave me so many friends who will be a part of my life forever. I thank you unique FANS with your huge heart. You made me feel a part of you.

“Together we won important trophies… then the Scudetto after 33 years. What immense joy to celebrate it all together… I will always be grateful to this JERSEY!!

“I thank the club that allowed me all of this and the staff who accompanied me on this journey.

“THANK YOU forever from me… Your ‘Napolacco’ ZIELU.”

The word Napolacco is a portmanteau of Napoletano and Polacco – Neapolitan and Polish – representing the dual identity Zielinski developed over those eight years.

He leaves having made 364 competitive appearances for the Partenopei, where he scored 51 goals and provided 46 assists.

The Scudetto in the 2022-23 season was the absolute highlight, but not his only trophy, as Zielinski was also in the squad that won the Coppa Italia in the 2019-20 campaign.

His contract expires today and he has already signed with Inter as a free agent.