Maldini is about to embark on his 24th season with AC Milan

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini is to delay his retirement until 2009.

Maldini had planned to quit in May but has bowed to pleas from club bosses and team-mates to play for one more year.

"AC Milan communicate that captain Paolo Maldini's contract has been extended until June 30 2009," said AC Milan in a statement on their website.

Maldini, who turns 40 later this month, has won five Champions League/European Cups and seven Serie A titles during his 23-year career with AC Milan.

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But his last Serie A title was in 2004 and Maldini said: "The championship is a title which we haven't won for a long time.

"We've only won it twice in the past ten years, so it's an additional motivation for next season."