Smalling Joins Roma On Permanent Deal After 10 Years At Man United

Chris Smalling has joined Serie A giants Roma on a four-year deal worth £13.6m after 10 years at Manchester United.

United announced Smalling’s transfer to Roma in a statement on their website on Monday.

The Italian FA processed the paperwork on the deal with one minute to spare before the transfer deadline in Italy.

Smalling, 30, spent last season on loan at Roma and helped Paulo Fonseca’s side to a fifth-place Serie A finish and Europa League qualification.

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During his time at United Smalling played 323 times where he won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, a League Cup and the Europa League.

“Manchester United have reached an agreement with AS Roma for the transfer of defender Chris Smalling,” the statement read.

“The centre-back was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2010 from Fulham, and went on to make 323 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals.

“Smalling won the Premier League title in his very first season, 2010/11, and again in 2012/13. He also claimed the FA Cup (2015/16), the League Cup (2016/17) and the UEFA Europa League (2016/17) during his time with us, and started in all three of the finals that led to those triumphs.

“His debut came in the Charity Shield of 2010 – a 3-1 win over Chelsea – and Smalling made 33 first-team appearances in his maiden campaign, as the Reds sealed a record-breaking 19th title.

“He scored the first of his 18 goals for the club in a League Cup tie at Scunthorpe, and opened his Premier League account with a header against Chelsea in the opening weeks of the following term.

“But it is for his goals against Manchester City that Smalling will be most fondly remembered by fans across the globe. He scored more against the Blues than against any other opposition, and his strikes contributed to three memorable wins. Arguably his most famous moment arrived during the Manchester derby of April 2018, when he fired home the winner as United came back from 2-0 down to win at the Etihad.

“His rugged, aggressive defending made him an awkward and imposing opponent for strikers, with last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy once identifying him as the most impressive centre-half he had come up against.

“Well liked and trusted by every United manager he played under, the only current first-team player to have made more appearances for the club than Chris is, at the time of writing, David De Gea.

“Everyone at Manchester United would like to thank Chris for his years of service, dedication and professionalism, and wish him all the best for his future.”