Balerdi rejected Boca captaincy offer to join Roma: 'I waited for them'
Argentine centre-back Leonardo Balerdi has joined AS Roma from Olympique de Marseille, revealing that he rejected the chance to captain boyhood club Boca Juniors in order to complete the move to the Italian capital. Balerdi, who came through Boca's academy, stated he 'waited' for Roma's interest to materialise, highlighting his strong desire to play in Serie A. The move represents a significant defensive acquisition for Roma, who have been active in reshaping their squad. Balerdi's international experience and leadership qualities, demonstrated by Boca's offer, suggest Roma have secured a player with both technical and intangible assets.
Read the full story at football-italia.netRoma have landed a defender who turned down one of the most prestigious armbands in South American football to make the move to Serie A, underscoring the pull of the Italian project. Balerdi's pedigree — a Boca academy product with Champions League experience at Marseille — addresses a clear area of need in Roma's back line. The fact that Boca offered him the captaincy signals the calibre of player arriving in Rome, even if his Roma career is yet to begin.
Context added by Socc360, not by football-italia.net.
Data source: football-italia.net (via Socc360). Last updated .
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