"I feel good and I want to keep playing. I don't have any restrictions, I listen to and evaluate the offers that come in, but I'd prefer to stay in Italy," the defender said, opening the door to interest from clubs both in Serie A and further down the Italian pyramid, while ruling nothing out entirely.
Reflecting on what his years at Inter meant to him, Darmian's voice cracked as he weighed up a trophy-laden spell that nonetheless ended without the two prizes that mattered most to him.
"Three Scudetti, three Coppa Italias, three Supercoppas and two Champions League finals narrowly missed - those missed cups are my biggest regrets. Inter simply changed my life, as a man and as a footballer.
"At Appiano I found an extraordinary environment, where I felt good from day one and was able to express myself at 100%. That allowed me to write a little piece of an incredible story. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss it: when you've been happy somewhere, it's hard to leave... But I'm at peace because I know I gave everything."
Asked whether he had expected the club to offer him a new deal, Darmian was candid about his disappointment, while stopping short of any bitterness towards the club's decision-makers.
"Let's say I would have liked to do another year in black and blue, I admit it. The club, though, made different assessments and I respect them, but I still feel like a Serie A-level player at my age."
Darmian leaves Inter Milan having become one of the more understated but consistent figures of the club's recent success, with his versatility across defence and midfield making him a trusted option for successive head coaches throughout his time at the San Siro.
His comments suggest he is now weighing up his next move carefully, with a preference to remain in Italian football if the right opportunity arises.