Daniele De Rossi has confessed that he considered leaving Roma before agreeing to a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 28-year-old's previous deal was due to expire in the summer, meaning that he was able to discuss personal terms with other clubs.

The midfielder has conceded that he did speak with other teams, but is love of the club convinced him to stay put.

"What drives me to stay here, to do my job with so much passion is this team, this city and its people," siad De Rossi. "What I desire is here. The negotiations have been lengthy and I cannot deny that I had doubts.

"There was also the thought of ambition, the idea of playing somewhere else, to face the top teams in the world, not that we don't have that possibility here.

"Those things fascinated me and I did speak to other clubs. I was very tempted to see if I had the strength to play elsewhere."

De Rossi has spent his entire playing career with the Romans.