Man Utd defender Chris Smalling hails 'perfect opportunity' after completing AS Roma loan move

Chris Smalling will spend the rest of the 2019/20 campaign on loan at AS Roma
Manchester United via Getty Imag
George Flood30 August 2019

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has completed a loan switch to AS Roma.

The England centre-back heads to Serie A until June 30 2020, with Roma announcing that they will pay €3million for the temporary move.

“This is the perfect opportunity for me,” Smalling said.

“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.”

Roma Sporting director Gianluca Petrachi added: “We are pleased to bring a player like Chris, who has so much experience, to Roma.

“We are convinced he will help the growth of this squad and all the lads he plays alongside.”

Smalling made 24 Premier League appearances for United last term, but had yet to feature in any of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's matchday squads in the early stages of the 2019/20 season.

The 29-year-old was pushed down a crowded pecking order by the high-profile arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester over the summer, while academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe has been promoted to a senior role after impressing on loan at Aston Villa.

Solskjaer also has the likes of Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo to call upon in a well-stocked position.

Smalling follows Alexis Sanchez to Italy, with the Chilean having reunited with Romelu Lukaku by joining Inter Milan on a season-long loan on Thursday.

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