Roma complete signing of Verona's Iturbe
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Article summary
Winger Juan Manuel Iturbe is the latest player to join AS Roma as the Italian side return to the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in four years.
Article top media content
Article body
Serie A runners-up AS Roma have further bolstered their team ahead of their UEFA Champions League return by acquiring Juan Manuel Iturbe from Hellas Verona FC for a €22m fee, which could rise to €24.5m.
The Argentinian winger, a key player during Verona's 2013/14 campaign, has signed a a five-year contract with the Giallorossi. The 21-year-old made 33 appearances and scored eight goals as the newly promoted side finished tenth in Serie A. Speedy left-footer Iturbe can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder behind the striker.
Born in Argentina to Paraguayan parents, he started out at Club Cerro Porteño before joining FC Porto in 2011 and spending six months on loan to CA River Plate in 2012/13. Iturbe moved to Verona last season, initially on loan, before a series of impressive performances convinced the northern Italian team to pay the agreed €15m fee last month.
Roma, who have already recruited Ashley Cole, Urby Emanuelson, Seydou Keita and Salih Uçan, make a UEFA Champions League comeback for the first time since 2010/11, starting from the group stage.
