Marco Bleve, a true Salento native, bids farewell: "I'm leaving, but I'm staying with the Giallorossi."

LECCE - "There are bonds that time doesn't break. There are shirts that aren't worn but are lived, loved, honored. And Lecce, for me, was all of this. It's my childhood. My childhood dream. My first phone call. My first dive. My first tear. I defended these colors silently, with my heart, even when no one was looking. I held them close in the good times and even more so in the difficult ones. Today, with my voice breaking with emotion, I tell you that the time has come to say goodbye. But it will never be goodbye. Because those who are born Giallorossi, stay Giallorossi forever. I'm leaving to grow, to test myself, but I'm taking everything with me: the city, my teammates, the sweat, the hugs, every look I met under the curve. I'll return. I'm sure of it. Because my story with Lecce will never end. With respect, with pride, and with my heart in my hand, thank you, Lecce." - Marco Bleve

This is how the goalkeeper from San Cesario, a true Salento native who spent his entire life with the Giallorossi from the youth ranks to the senior squad, bid farewell to the entire club via his Instagram profile after his permanent transfer to Carrarese. He has previously played for other teams, but always on loan.

"I feel like I've cut the umbilical cord that has always kept me at Lecce," says Bleve. "I made this decision because I've reached the age where I have to prioritize my career over my heart. Furthermore, I owe a debt of gratitude to Carrarese, who wanted me in Serie C when I wasn't playing and who, after promotion, asked me to stay in Serie B. Together, we achieved survival, and now I've been offered a three-year contract. In short, they've shown me great faith."

The goalkeeper from San Cesario joined Lecce as a child: "I started with the 'pulcini', the youngest category. I played in Serie C and Serie B. I was a bench player in Serie A. I felt a tremendous emotional response in the 2022/23 Monza match, where we secured survival in the top flight, going from seeing relegation to the unbridled joy of staying in the top flight, from the Brianza team missing a penalty to our own. With me on the pitch, however, I remember the away match against Brescia in Serie B in 2021/22, as I hadn't played for several months. We drew, and the following week I was again a starter in the win against Cosenza. In the end, we were promoted. Liverani is the coach I had the most fun with." He has one regret: "That of always being the 'second' goalkeeper. I never had the chance to play consistently." But he has a dream: "In three years, I'll be 32. Why not hope to return and try my hand at Serie A with Lecce? I lived through the dark ages of Serie C, and I'm proud of what the current owners have been able to build, with a clear plan, using their own resources, taking it one step at a time."