Mile Svilar unveiled by Roma as new backup goalkeeper

Roma have completed the signing of Mile Svilar on a free transfer to become their new backup goalkeeper.

Svilar recently reached the end of his contract with Benfica and is now ready for a new challenge in Rome.

An agreement was found a while back between the two parties, making the Serbia international Roma’s second signing of the summer after compatriot Nemanja Matic.

He has signed a contract until 2027 and will wear the number 99 shirt.

Svilar told the club’s website: “I am delighted to be here and I cannot wait to get started.

“When I heard about Roma’s interest I was immediately excited.

“Working with a coach like Jose Mourinho is unbelievable and I am ready to do everything I can to help the team.”

Mile Svilar: The story so far

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The 22-year-old was born in Belgium and came through the ranks at Anderlecht. He never made a senior appearance for them, before leaving for Benfica in 2017.

Across five seasons in Portugal, Svilar made 23 senior appearances, plus 56 for Benfica’s B team. He conceded 20 goals for the first team, for whom he kept eight clean sheets.

Svilar spent the 2021-22 season with the reserve team, conceding 17 goals and keeping four clean sheets within 13 appearances in the Portuguese second tier.

At international level, Svilar has represented Serbia – the country his father, also a goalkeeper, is from – once. His maiden cap, having previously been a youth-team player for Belgium, came in September 2021, when he kept a clean sheet against Qatar.

Now, Svilar is ready to embark on a new adventure in a new country. By joining Roma, he will serve as the deputy to number one, Rui Patricio.

Patricio played in all but one of Roma’s 55 matches during his debut season in 2021-22, becoming the busiest ever new player for the club. In the process, he matched the record for the most clean sheets by a debuting Roma keeper.

The younger Svilar has been brought in to back him up with a view to the long-term. He will hope to have more chances than Daniel Fuzato had during his days as Patricio’s backup.

There are five years for Svilar to prove himself at Roma, with his journey just now beginning.

Welcome, Mile.