Roma defender Leandro Castán thanks Sporting Director Walter Sabatini for supporting him through injury

Roma defender Leandro Castán has thanked Sporting Director Walter Sabatini for supporting him through his injury. The 28 year-old featured just once during the 2014-15 campaign – A Serie A match against Empoli in September 2014 – after being diagnosed with a brain problem. The issue was severe enough for him to require surgery and […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-07-07 22:56:00

Roma defender Leandro Castán has thanked Sporting Director Walter Sabatini for supporting him through his injury.

The 28 year-old featured just once during the 2014-15 campaign – A Serie A match against Empoli in September 2014 – after being diagnosed with a brain problem.

The issue was severe enough for him to require surgery and it was even suggested that he may not play again.

Castán has however, now completed his recovery and speaking in a press conference, he praised Sabatini for showing loyalty to him.

"When the doctor told me I might not be able to play again, it hurt," he said, as reported by website Football Italia. "He [Sabatini] called me at Trigoria, and he told me I had to stay.

"I thank him for not releasing me, and making me feel like a footballer. He gave me the strength not to give up.

"It was very important, I won’t forget it."

Castán was signed by Roma from Corinthians in July 2012 for a reported fee of €5 million.

After making a slow start in his maiden campaign, he formed a strong partnership with Moroccan Mehdi Benatia in the 2013-14 season, as Roma pushed Juventus in the race for the Serie A title, following the arrival of Head Coach Rudi Garcia.