Reports | Nikola Kalinic leaves Atletico Madrid to join AS Roma
Atletico Madrid striker Nikola Kalinic has joined Serie A giants AS Roma on a season-long loan deal, which comes with an option to buy for €11m. The Giallorossi have paid €2m for the season-long loan, while the option to buy in June 2020 can be activated by paying an additional amount of €9m.
In a move that saw Patrick Schick join Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, Roma signed Atletico Madrid striker Nikolas Kalinic. The Giallorossi deemed it essential to add another forward to the squad after Schick consistently struggled to perform and that saw them sign the Croatian. Now Kalinic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan's arrival at the Stadio Olimpico does means that Edin Dzeko will now have a lot more support off the bench or even playing alongside him.
The former Atletico Madrid striker has been given the no. 19 jersey by the Giallorossi and was presented by the club’s director of sport, Gianluca Petrachi just after the European deadline was over, with the Romans getting the deal over the line on time.
“Nikola has always been our preferred option, for his ability to both play as the main striker and to slot in alongside Edin Dzeko. We believe that with his abilities our attacking unit is now well-rounded and we are confident he will show his quality once again in Italy,” said Petrachi to Roma's official website.
Speaking to the official club website about his move, Nikola Kalinic went on to say, "It feels great because I am joining a big club. I am proud to become part of this team and this club. Roma has big history and I am very happy to be here.”
The Croatian International has made 100 appearances for both Fiorentina and AC Milan in the past and thus should not face any problems adapting to the pace and style of the Italian league.