Roma Women have significantly strengthened their strike force with the signing of Italy international Valentina Giacinti.
The 28-year-old recently left AC Milan, where she scored 64 goals in 86 games between 2018 and January 2022, before a loan spell with Fiorentina. In Florence, she made nine appearances and scored three times.
A former captain of the Rossonere, Giacinti won the Serie A golden boot in 2015-16 with Mozzanica, 2017-18 with Brescia and 2018-19 with Milan. Her overall record in the competition is an impressive 182 goals from 233 appearances.
At international level, she has 18 goals in 53 appearances for Italy. She featured in all three group games of Italy’s ill-fated Euro 2022 campaign in England.
Giacinti – who scored twice from two Champions League appearances for Milan last term, as well as seven times from 11 games in Serie A and one from one in the Coppa Italia – was waiting until the conclusion of her involvement in the tournament to announce her next step in the club game. Now, Roma have finally unveiled her as their new number nine.
She will likely be their first-choice centre-forward ahead of last season’s top scorer Paloma Lazaro, while taking Valeria Pirone’s place in the squad (and her old shirt number).
Giacinti told asroma.com: “I chose to sign for Roma because the club is investing significantly in the women’s game and with each passing year they keep showing just how much they want to succeed.
“I’m encouraged, I have a good feeling and I cannot wait to start this new chapter of my football career.
“My targets this season are to improve a lot and to do what I can to help Roma achieve the best possible results.”
Head of Women’s Football, Betty Bavagnoli, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Valentina, who immediately showed such enthusiasm about the prospect of representing this club.
“Valentina is unique among forwards in Italy and has always been a difference maker for whichever side she has played for.
“Her arrival here underlines our ambitions: to continue to be a force in the Italian game and to start building an international profile.”
Giacinti has signed a contract until 2025 with Roma.
Leave a Reply