END OF AN ERA: IOVINE REITIRES AFTER SIX REMARKABLE YEARS

Alessio Iovine has announced his retirement from professional football after six memorable years and 151 appearances with Como 1907. The 34-year-old midfielder, who grew up in Como and always dreamed of playing for his hometown club, made the emotional announcement during today’s press conference, confirming that while his playing days are coming to an end, his journey with the BiancoBlu will continue in a new capacity.

“I’ve decided to retire. It’s a decision I’ve made calmly, together with the club, the coach, and my family over these past weeks and months,” Iovine explained. “It wasn’t easy, especially since my physical condition would still allow me to continue. But we know football evolves with new dynamics every day.”

For Iovine, this retirement holds special significance as his career culminates with his boyhood club. Having grown up in Como and supported the team from the stands, his six-year journey with the first team from Serie C to Serie A represents the fulfilment of a lifelong dream: a rare achievement in modern football.

“It’s beautiful to look back on these six years: from where we started to where we’ve arrived. Today isn’t an endpoint, but another springboard to reach even higher and set increasingly ambitious goals,” Iovine reflected, having been part of the club’s journey from lower divisions winning the Serie C championship, securing promotion to Serie A in the 2023-24 season, securing Serie A status a couple of weeks ago with a 1-0 victory against Genoa and then 10th place in Serie A this past weekend.

Reflecting on the club’s transformation during his tenure, Iovine highlighted the importance of stability and vision: “As long as there’s continuity at the club level, everything is fine. Years ago in Como, depression and uncertainty reigned: the club would fail, restart, and move backwards without knowing the future. Then the new ownership arrived: some figures proved decisive, and the latest additions immediately made a significant impact. Today, Como has solid foundations and great ambitions”

While Iovine’s exact future role remains undefined, he confirmed he’ll remain with the club in some capacity. “I don’t know exactly what I’ll do next year, but after speaking with the coach and sporting director, I’ll stay with the club, which is a great vote of confidence. It means that in these six years, I’ve done something good, and there’s an environment that respects me and cares for me. Given my nature, I believe I’ll stay on the field rather than behind a desk. We’ll discover the precise role later on.”

The midfielder also paid tribute to the Como faithful who have supported him throughout his journey. “The relationship with the fans means everything: it’s the fuel that drives us every day. The points we’ve earned, year after year, also come from the unity between us and the people. Seeing more and more children wearing Como shirts, here in Mozzate or at the stadium, is something indescribable.”

“This decision has been developing for months. I’ve considered many factors, and I’m absolutely convinced that by taking this step, I’ll achieve even greater satisfaction in the future than I reached as a player.”

On his trusted player retiring, Head Coach Cesc Fabregas commented: “What Iovine brings in terms of positivity and attitude is extremely important. Even when he wasn’t playing, he was the first to enter the pitch and the last to leave; always talking, always helping the team, always raising the level of training. He spoke to me: he doesn’t want to sit in an office on his phone; he said so himself, he wants to be on the pitch, working with the team, coaching. We’ll find the best solution for him.”

Tomorrow’s match at the Stadio Sinigaglia will give fans the opportunity to show their appreciation for a player who has embodied Como’s remarkable rise and whose legacy will continue to shape the club’s future.