Midfielder Alberto Aquilani would like to stay with Roma until he hangs up his playing boots.

The highly-rated youngster - one of the rising stars of Italian football - forced the rest of Europe to sit up and take notice of his talent earlier this season with a series of dazzling displays for both his club and country.

But he has warded off any potential suitors at some of the continent's bigger clubs by pledging his future to the capital club, where he wants to stay until he retires.

"I want to renew my contract," he told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

A thigh problem has deprived him of playing since sustaining the injury against Manchester United on October 2, but the 23-year-old is determined to return and continue playing for the Eternal City club for some time to come.

"I dream of staying with the Giallorosso for my whole career, but my priority now is to get back playing.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport