I'll never play in the Premiership again
There have been many rumours both here in Italy and in England recently that I will be playing in the Premiership again next season but I can say categorically that I will never play for an English club again. Even if Lazio turned around to me this summer and said that I was no longer required at the club, I would not consider a move back to England.
As I understand it, I have been linked with both Manchester City and Tottenham in the English press. I heard of City's interest two weeks ago when my agent told me they had made an enquiry to Lazio but I never gave it a second thought. As far as Spurs having been in contact with either my representatives or the club, that is total rubbish.
I'm aware that there has been speculation about changes at Lazio in the summer but that is always to be expected at such a big club and I have no intention of leaving. Whatever happens, however, I can tell you the only country I will ever play football in again is Holland.
I will be 30 later this year and I feel that I don't want to uproot my wife and two children again, unless it is to return to the Netherlands. We were very happy living in Manchester but we had to make a new life for ourselves virtually overnight when United decided to sell me and I do not want to put my family through the upheaval of moving to a different country again.
It was the last thing I wanted for my children because they liked England and had friends and then suddenly I had to tell them we were leaving to live in Italy, which they struggled to understand.
We are settled in Italy. My kids are happy in their new school and we love the way of life here. To ask my family to move once again would be selfish and disruptive and after everything that has happened to us in the last nine months with my transfer and doping suspension, I will now always put my family before my football.
Playing in England is a chapter in my life and my career which is now closed. I had my time at the top in the Premiership and won many trophies but I do not want to go back. The way I left United hurt but my decision is not a case of sour grapes or bitterness towards anyone. I just don't believe I can ask my family to go leave everything behind again.
Also, I have played less than 10 Serie A games and I still have a lot to prove to people here who have not seen what I am capable of yet. With respect, Lazio is a bigger club than either Spurs or City and my future is here.<hr></blockquote>
