The England international becomes Roma’s eighth signing of the summer after being deemed surplus to requirements at the Red Devils
Roma have signed England defender Chris Smalling on a season-long loan from Manchester United.
The 29-year-old flew to the Italian capital early on Friday to undergo a medical and finalise the move.
The Italian side will pay a €3 million (£2.7m/$3.2m) loan fee for Smalling, who has been handed the number six shirt by the Giallorossi.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me,” Smalling told Roma’s website.
“The chance to experience a new league, with a big team that has got big aspirations is exactly what I needed.
“Hopefully I can hit the ground running. I’m looking forward to joining up with my teammates.”
Smalling had spent nearly a decade at United, making 323 appearances for the club since joining from Fulham in the summer of 2010.
However, the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester for £80 million ($97m) earlier this month increased competition for places in the United defence.
With the likes of Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo also competing for a centre-back slot, Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the move is the best way for Smalling to guarantee regular first-team football.
“At the moment we’ve got six centre-backs,” the Norwegian told Man Utd’s website.
“This is just something that popped up towards the end [of the European transfer window] in the last couple of days.
“Chris fancied the chance to go over there; it’s a new experience, new adventure.
“He’ll come back better for it because it’s a big club, it’s a good league. There aren’t too many English players who have been playing in Italy so I think he’ll enjoy it.”
More to follow.
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