Roma acquires 2 captains with De Roon joing from Atalanta and Balerdi from Marseille
Roma has strengthened its Serie A squad by signing two new captains, midfielder Marten De Roon from Atalanta and center back Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille. The 35-year-old De Roon, who has been a regular for the Netherlands, joins Roma after a decade at Atalanta. He will reunite with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who previously coached him at Atalanta.
De Roon's transfer was reportedly a 1 million euro deal. Meanwhile, center back Balerdi, 27, is joining Roma on loan with an option to make the move permanent. The Argentine defender has played over 200 games in Europe for Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, where he became captain. Balerdi's move to Roma could be made permanent in the future.
Roma manager Gasperini noted that the club has acquired two captains with De Roon's move being finalized in just two days. Meanwhile, Roma defender Neil El Aynaoui is set to leave for Leipzig, while Bryan Cristante, who also played under Gasperini at Atalanta, remains Roma's captain. The Giallorossi opened their Serie A campaign with a 4-0 victory over Fiorentina and will face Lecce in their next match.
Roma are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19, following a signing spree that included forward Santiago Castro from Bologna for 35 million euros.
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