Recent AS Roma signing Chris Smalling has highlighted his determination to lift a trophy with the club after penning a permanent deal.
The English centre-back, who enjoyed a successful loan deal at the Stadio Olimpico last season, rejoined the club on deadline day from Manchester United for a deal worth approximately €15m, penning a three-year contract in the process.
Having failed to lift any silverware last season with Roma finishing fifth in the 2019/20 Serie A standings, the defender is determined to rectify that as a permanent player with the Giallorossi.
Speaking after being unveiled by the club, Smalling said: “I am convinced that the team is stronger this year thanks to the experience gained in the last season. I can not wait to start, we want to take away great satisfaction.
“I felt pure happiness when I arrived, I had never felt such affection from the fans. I want to return this affection by helping the team to win a trophy.
“I think Rome has one of the best captains in the world, Edin Dzeko, there are many leaders and Dzeko is one of them. I want to be a leader on and off the field, like I did last season. I want to work to become one outside the camp and therefore I intend to learn Italian.
“I wanted to relive the joys of last season with this team and this coach. The city is also very pleasant. The negotiations were long and painful, I am grateful to Roma for being here and I want to repay the trust.”
Having won just one out of their opening three Serie A matches of the campaign, Roma are currently at odds as high as 66/1 with William Hill to lift the title this season.