Roma have gifted Jose Mourinho a new midfielder in the shape of Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum.
Arriving from PSG on loan with an option to buy, Wijnaldum brings with him a wealth of experience from a career in which he has also represented Feyenoord, PSV, Newcastle and Liverpool.
Wijnaldum, who has 86 caps for his country, will wear the number 25 shirt in his new colours.
He told Roma’s official website: “It’s a really good feeling to be a Roma player.
“Everyone I have spoken to has given me great feedback about the club and its fans.
“The club made it clear just how much they wanted me in the efforts they made to complete the deal, which always gives a player a lot of confidence and belief. The reception from the supporters, on social media and elsewhere, has also been fantastic.
“I promise to give 100% and help the team compete for all our targets this season.”
The 31-year-old is set for his first taste of Serie A after last summer’s switch to Ligue 1 with PSG did not work out as expected; despite them winning the French title, Wijnaldum only started 18 of their 38 league matches.
Players who joined Roma as a reigning league champion with another club
Previously, he was a key player in a successful Liverpool side, winning four trophies with the Premier League side. He also won honours with both of the clubs he represented in his homeland during his formative years.
Now, he has joined reigning Europa Conference League champions Roma, who have already brought in a couple of big names this summer and now have another among the ranks.
Wijnaldum will likely be a starter in Mourinho’s midfield, competing for a place with the likes of Nemanja Matic and Bryan Cristante. Roma may yet want another option in the position, but are likely to focus on player exits first.
For now, they can welcome Wijnaldum to the club, hoping he can recapture his Liverpool form and follow in the footsteps of how compatriot Kevin Strootman’s debut season with Roma went back in the day.
Jordan Veretout leaves as Georginio Wijnaldum joins
At the same time, La Magica have offloaded Jordan Veretout, one of their most-used midfielders from the past three years. He is returning to French football with Marseille.
A summer 2019 signing from Fiorentina, Veretout played regularly in each of his three seasons with the club. In terms of his individual form, the middle one was the best; his tally of 11 goals was the greatest of his career.
The balance changed for Veretout under Jose Mourinho. In the 2021-22 season, he recorded more assists than goals for the first time in five years in Italian football.
However, his status in the first team came into question despite hitting a half-century of appearances. Given Roma’s investment in his position, Veretout was identified as someone to sacrifice.
Now, his move to Marseille has become official. Roma will reportedly earn a fee of €11m plus €4.5m in bonuses from the transfer, which sees Veretout return to his native country.
By choosing Marseille as his next club, he will find himself among former Roma players like Pau Lopez, Gerson and Cengiz Under.
Veretout’s final record with Roma is 131 appearances, 22 goals and 16 assists. For no other club did he score more goals.
Now, though, his Roma days are behind him as he embarks on a new chapter with Marseille, and the Giallorossi look forward to a future with Wijnaldum.
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