Chris Smalling: Man Utd defender joins Roma on permanent deal - BBC Sport
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Chris Smalling: Man Utd defender joins Roma on permanent deal

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments214

Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling joined Manchester United from Fulham in 2010

Roma have signed Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a three-year deal worth 15m euros (£13.6m), rising to 20m euros (£18.1m) with add-ons.

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 the Italian club and helped Paulo Fonseca's side to a fifth-place Serie A finish and Europa League qualification.

United and Roma had initially struggled to reach an agreement over a fee.

"Nothing in life worth having comes easy," Smalling told Roma's website.

"My head and my heart has always been in Rome. I am delighted to now be yours. Daje Roma!"

England centre-back Smalling impressed during his stay in Italy last season, making 30 league appearances and scoring three goals.

He has won 31 England caps and played 323 times for Manchester United, where he won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, a League Cup and the Europa League.

Prior to announcing Smalling's departure, United announced the signing of Brazil left-back Alex Telles on a four-year deal from Porto.

They have also recruited former Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, and agreed a deal for Atalanta's teenage winger Amad Diallo.

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214 comments

  • Comment posted by hiphopanonymous, at 20:40 5 Oct 2020

    Good luck to the lad.
    Was willing to go out and play for a club and fans that actually wanted him.
    Hope other players take that on board.

    • Reply posted by U17739591, at 21:27 5 Oct 2020

      U17739591 replied:
      Imagine selling your best defender just so slabhead can make more mistakes, though I'm not complaining 😂😂😂😂
      #6-1 😂😂😂😂
      #YNWA

  • Comment posted by ldb123, at 20:43 5 Oct 2020

    This does not seem like the time for United to be parting with in-form central defenders. He was never quite up to the standards they expect, but he was also never quite down to the standards that Maguire, Lindelof, and Bailly have delivered lately.

    • Reply posted by When is it going to end Robbie, at 21:50 5 Oct 2020

      When is it going to end Robbie replied:
      Sad thing with Bailly is that he can be exceptional when fit. The key words there are WHEN FIT.

  • Comment posted by Pelesfoot, at 20:36 5 Oct 2020

    Nice for Smalling to get what he wanted

    • Reply posted by D1710728788878, at 20:40 5 Oct 2020

      D1710728788878 replied:
      This. People criticising Solksjaer for not keeping him against his will sound a bit daft to me.

      All things considered he appears to be off to a better place now anyway! Imagine having Slabhead and Luke 'Pie Eater' Shaw alongside you in defence.... 😟

  • Comment posted by D1679357598043, at 20:44 5 Oct 2020

    Italians know how to recognise good defenders. Just saying.

    • Reply posted by Gabriel, at 21:49 5 Oct 2020

      Gabriel replied:
      Yep and hopefully youll never see them paying £80 million for one either

  • Comment posted by RedDevil93, at 20:40 5 Oct 2020

    They should have chucked in Phil Jones for free

    • Reply posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 20:43 5 Oct 2020

      Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd replied:
      And Maguire, hell why not the entire defence?

  • Comment posted by Lee, at 21:02 5 Oct 2020

    I’d rather have Smalling than Maguire anyday...
    ‘£86m for Maguire was worth every penny...’ said Leicester City.

    • Reply posted by BBCfascistsCensoredThisFanaticismRotAccount, at 21:28 5 Oct 2020

      BBCfascistsCensoredThisFanaticismRotAccount replied:
      Do you not watch UTD at all never seen Smalling play more than few times? MAG is night and day difference compared to Smalldini and Jones.... Do you not understand consistency? Maguire never consistently failed he helped UTD get 3rd last season with one best defences (fewest goals let in). Compare this to Smalldinis 6 years of shambolic service under Moyes, VanGaal, Mou, all lower league spots

  • Comment posted by Matt316, at 20:36 5 Oct 2020

    All the best, Mike 👍

    • Reply posted by yogi, at 20:40 5 Oct 2020

      yogi replied:
      Yeah Rofl

  • Comment posted by CastorTroy, at 20:37 5 Oct 2020

    Smalling is better than Maguire, it’s almost as if Ole hasn’t got a clue.

    • Reply posted by Tractor, at 22:00 5 Oct 2020

      Tractor replied:
      Of course he is, they are all brilliant when they are sitting on the bench, they only become useless when they are playing!

  • Comment posted by SpartS, at 20:35 5 Oct 2020

    Silly Utd. He’s their best centre back.

    • Reply posted by U17739591, at 21:30 5 Oct 2020

      U17739591 replied:
      I'm glad he never stayed with penchestVAR because i can't wait to see more 6-1 scores 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
      #YNWA

  • Comment posted by Blackhawk87, at 20:52 5 Oct 2020

    Smalling was treated badly by MU.
    He's a good defender better than Dire Maguire who couldn't catch a tortoise with stabilizers pinned to it. MU keep buying crap out of date players. They have so much deadwood there- lingard jones Rojo. Fred. Ole is completely out of his depth.

    • Reply posted by BBCfascistsCensoredThisFanaticismRotAccount, at 21:34 5 Oct 2020

      BBCfascistsCensoredThisFanaticismRotAccount replied:
      How is he better than MAG. You haven't watched them play nor have you looked at the stats. UTD did far worse with Smalling, there's a reason Moyes, Van Gaal and Mou were sacked and Smalling along with Jones, Young and Ligard all had a big part in it. Thank the lord Ole is clearing this cancer out, UTD had too many average players for too long. Anyway, get off of here you talk nonsense

  • Comment posted by User0188888891, at 20:40 5 Oct 2020

    Good for him putting distance between him and that utter circus Plus the clown of a manager.

  • Comment posted by Bergy, at 20:58 5 Oct 2020

    So let me get this straight. Man U, who clearly have major defensive issues, sell a defender to an Italian Seria A club. Does that not tell Man U something, given that the Italians seem to know a thing or two about defending. You couldn’t write this stuff

    • Reply posted by HGH1, at 21:17 5 Oct 2020

      HGH1 replied:
      Smalling wanted to leave, best to get a transfer fee than keep an unhappy player.

  • Comment posted by F1fantraveltv on social media, at 20:35 5 Oct 2020

    Better than Maguire and will be first choice in current form. Is there something we don’t know?

    • Reply posted by durhamshrew, at 20:51 5 Oct 2020

      durhamshrew replied:
      Well we don’t know what we don’t know.....🤔

  • Comment posted by Reds, at 20:56 5 Oct 2020

    It's a shame to see him go after the season he had at Roma, he is better than any other CB in United's squad at the moment. Good business for Roma to recognise his value.

    • Reply posted by D1710582775677, at 21:00 5 Oct 2020

      D1710582775677 replied:
      What makes him better exactly?

  • Comment posted by barrykins, at 20:59 5 Oct 2020

    Good for him. The world doesn't end at Dover.

  • Comment posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 20:42 5 Oct 2020

    He's going to a better place, I mean team.

    • Reply posted by SpongeBoab Square Sausage, at 21:02 5 Oct 2020

      SpongeBoab Square Sausage replied:
      I think u mean both. Manchester vs Rome? No contest.

  • Comment posted by TV, at 20:42 5 Oct 2020

    Better player than current batch

  • Comment posted by HesGonnaCostaLot, at 20:36 5 Oct 2020

    Dunno lads, might've kept him after yesterday. Worth a go at least

  • Comment posted by GJM1305, at 21:04 5 Oct 2020

    Do they want Maguire for a free as well? He's world class, I promise.

  • Comment posted by King Klopp, at 21:00 5 Oct 2020

    Bad times when Smalling doesn't even want to play for you.

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