AS Roma have completed the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal for a fee of €5.8 million.
Lukaku has signed a one-year loan deal with the Giallorossi, which is valid until June 30, 2024.
Confirming the arrival of Romelu Lukaku to the Stadio Olimpico, AS Roma put out a statement on their website which reads:
“AS Roma is delighted to confirm the loan signing of Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.”
The Belgian spent the entirety of the 2022/23 season on loan at Inter Milan, where he made 37 appearances for the Nerazzurri.
He scored 14 goals and provided 7 assists for the 2022 UEFA Champions League finalist.
Why did Lukaku leave Chelsea?
Romelu Lukaku was cast out from Chelsea, as Mauricio Pochettino didn’t have him in his plans.
Lukaku was seen training in August with the Blues’ U21s, as he was barred from the first-team of the club.
Juventus were initially interested in signing the 30-year-old, but they faced a stern pushback from their supporters.
AS Roma are currently in dire need of a goalscoring attacker, having failed to convert massive chances in recent games.
Striker Andrea Belloti also went the entirety of the 2022/23 season without scoring a goal.
Despite scoring a brace in Roma’s first game of the Serie A, he isn’t a player that can be trusted to deliver in attack.
Romelu Lukaku will be reuniting with Jose Mourinho for the third time, having played under the Portuguese at Manchester United and Chelsea.
The former Everton striker becomes the 7th arrival to AS Roma this summer, having signed Leandro Paredes, Renato Sanches, Evan Ndicka, Houssem Aouar, Rasmus Kristensen, and Sardar Azmoun.
Lukaku understands the art of goalscoring in the Serie A, and he should be a good addition to Jose Mourinho’s side.
The 30-year-old was integral for Inter Milan in the 2020/21 season, helping the club win the Serie A.
Romelu Lukaku scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists for the Nerazzurri in the league, finishing as the second goalscorer, 5 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 29 goals.
Romelu Lukaku on signing for AS Roma?
Speaking concerning his arrival to AS Roma, Lukaku expressed that he can’t wait to be available to his “teammates both on and off the pitch.”
He said: “Now we must work, be humble, and grow game by game. For my part, I can’t wait to be available to my teammates both on and off the pitch.”
The ex-Anderlecht forward also shared that the atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico was also appealing to him.
He said: “As an opponent, I felt the atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico, and felt the warmth of the Romanisti.”
Romelu Lukaku should be available for selection against AC Milan, which would be Roma’s 3rd game of the Serie A season and he has been handed the No 90 shirt.
The Belgium international has scored 280 goals and provided 93 assists in 589 games so far in his career.
