December 30, (THEWILL) – Napoli has announced the immediate departure of defender Mario Rui through a mutual contract termination.
The 33-year-old Portuguese international leaves the former Italian champions after contributing significantly to their success over seven seasons.
The left-back, who initially joined from Roma on loan during the 2017/2018 campaign before making his transfer permanent, accumulated 227 appearances for the Naples-based outfit.
Throughout his tenure, Rui registered three goals and provided 26 assists, with his final goal coming in a victory against SPAL in 2019.
His contributions proved instrumental during Napoli’s triumphant 2022/2023 Serie A campaign, where he participated in 22 matches en route to the club’s title victory.
The defender also celebrated Coppa Italia’s success in 2020, adding another significant achievement to his time with the club.
Despite signing a contract extension in 2023 that would have maintained his services until June 2026, circumstances shifted following Antonio Conte’s managerial appointment.
Under the current management structure, Rui has not participated in any fixtures during the ongoing season, while the team maintains their position in second place.
The official statement from the club read: “SSC Napoli and Mario Rui Silva Duarte can confirm that the player’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent as of 30 December 2024.
The club would like to thank Mario Rui for his commitment to the Napoli cause over the years and wish him all the best for the next stage of his career.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
