Italy defender Cristian Zaccardo has bid farewell to Ħamrun Spartans after the World Cup winner announced that he will not be prolonging his stay at the Premier League club.

The former Milan and Wolfsburg defender arrived at the Spartans in October last year and made 16 appearances and scoring three goals as the Reds finished eighth in the BOV Premier League.

"I wanted to announce that my adventure with Ħamrun Spartans has come to an end," the 36-year-old wrote on his facebook account.

"It was an experience that was born almost a year ago following my post on LinkedIn and that has permitted me to explore an island that has conquered me as from the first day.

"I would like to thank all my team-mates with whom I have shared this campaign and the passionate fans with whom I have lived experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

"I wish a big good luck to the club. Now I am awaiting a new experience that will see me committed with my usual professional approach and the enthusiasm to move towards my new profession.

"Since I am still convinced that Maltese football has ample room of improvement in the near future, I will continue to evaluate serious projects on the island, which I have already received and I am considering, and I'm looking forward to start working on them as soon as possible."