Roma launch eSports team and announce first FIFA signings

The three players will represent the AS Roma eSports team at all official eSports tournaments and events.

Atlanta-based Aman, known as ‘Aman’ on FIFA, made his professional debut in 2013. The 22-year-old is considered one of the best FIFA players in North America.

Twenty-one-year-old Mirra, known as ‘Insa’ on FIFA, has won more live tournaments in Italy over the past three years than any other Italian FIFA player.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Carmody, known as ‘Poacher’ in the eSports world, hails from Exeter in England and boasts a top 16 finish in the FIFA 17 eSports World Convention.

The signing of the three players signals AS Roma’s official entrance into the competitive eSports world, where the club will compete in tournaments against major Europe sides including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Ajax, Valencia, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Galatasaray.

“Roma is a huge team to represent,” said Aman. “It makes me proud to wear the shirt, and it's an honour to be the first American to be signed by a European club. It's incredibly humbling, and I can't wait to bring more trophies to Roma. I'm here to win.”

“I’m delighted to be joining AS Roma,” revealed Poacher. “As a professional player, one of your goals is to sign for a club, and it’s really interesting to see an Italian club getting involved with eSports. My brother supported Roma, and they are such a big, well-known club in world football, so it’s really exciting.”

“To sign for Roma as the club’s first eSports players is a dream come true,” added Insa. “The fact that AS Roma is signing gamers like myself, Poacher and Aman proves just how big eSports is getting. We will give our all to be a success for Roma and the club’s fans.”

The AS Roma eSports team will be managed by 22-year-old American, Colin Johnson.

To give the club the best chance of success in the eSports arena, Roma have partnered with Fnatic, the world’s leading eSports organisation.

Fnatic will power the club’s eSports division and offer support for training, events and provide all eSports-related logistical knowledge to nurture the club’s players.

“As one of the most digitally-connected sports teams in the world, we’ve strived to create an organisation at Roma that engages our fans through all digital channels,” said Jim Pallotta, President of AS Roma. “With the tremendous growth of eSports and continued attention placed on games like FIFA, we’ve partnered with Fnatic, the world’s leading eSports organisation, to launch our eSports team. This joint venture will enable us to start building a strong legacy in eSports and engage our fans in exciting new ways.”

“FIFA’s entry into the world of eSports has received the attention of both established football clubs and eSports organisations,” said Wouter Sleijffers, CEO of Fnatic. “Fnatic is excited to enter this rising eSports game with AS Roma, one of the most iconic clubs in football with a long and successful history. We’re thrilled and honoured to work alongside AS Roma by helping the club take its first steps into a new, digital chapter in its rich and storied legacy. Whether on the grass or in-game, we share the same ambition: to be the best.”

Stay tuned to asroma.en/esports for details about upcoming events and follow @RomaeSports on Twitter.