Milan's American defender, Oguchi Onyewu, has pledged to play his final year at the club without a salary after signing a 12-month contract extension.
Onyewu missed most of the season due to a serious knee injury, making just one appearance before rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica. His contract had two years left to run, but fit-again Onyewu requested a further year and told the club he would play for free. The club accepted his offer, which means the World Cup-bound 28-year-old is now tied to Milan until the end of June 2013.
"Onyewu, who has been out for virtually the whole season due to injury, but who at this time is getting ready to face the World Cup adventure in South Africa with his national team, has become a star today with a significant gesture from a personal and professional standpoint," the club said.
"Onyewu has requested and obtained a contract extension from 30 June 2012 until 30 June 2013. With respect to that year, as was his wish, which has been appreciated by the club, Onyewu has asked not to receive any type of wages. This is an exemplary gesture that deserves our sincere congratulations."
Onyewu joined Milan from the Belgian side Standard Liège last summer and had a spell on loan in England with Newcastle.