Roma acquires 2 captains with De Roon joining from Atalanta and Balerdi from Marseille

ROME (AP) — Roma stepped up its Serie A challenge with the acquisition of two captains on Sunday, with midfielder Marten De Roon coming over from Atalanta and center back Leonardo Balerdi joining from Marseille.

The 35-year-old De Roon evolved into Atalanta’s captain after a total of a decade spent at the Bergamo squad in two spells. He’ll reunite with Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who formerly coached him at Atalanta.

Gasperini said the deal was done in two days after De Roon — who has also been a regular for the Netherlands — fell out of favor under current Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri.

“I got in contact with (Atalanta owner) Luca Percassi and they decided to give (De Roon) the freedom to do what he wanted after giving so much to Atalanta over the years,” Gasperini said. “He really wanted to come to Roma.”

De Roon’s transfer was reportedly a 1 million euro ($1 million) deal.

Balerdi’s move is a loan deal with an option to be made permanent.

The 27-year-old Argentina defender has played more than 200 games in Europe for Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, where he became captain. Balerdi missed this year’s World Cup due to injury after being named in Argentina’s initial 26-man squad.

“We’ve acquired two captains,” Gasperini said. “(Balerdi) is in his prime.”

Meanwhile, Neil El Aynaoui was leaving Roma for Leipzig.

Bryan Cristante, who also played under Gasperini at Atalanta, is Roma’s captain.

Roma routed Fiorentina 4-0 in its Serie A opener and visits Lecce on Monday. The Giallorossi are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19.

In June, Roma signed forward Santiago Castro from Bologna for 35 million euros ($40 million).

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