Mario Rui's first interview as a Roma player

How did your first day at Trigoria go?

“My reaction is very simple: I’ve joined one of the best clubs in the world so I’m feeling great. The first impressions are very positive.”

There’d been a lot of talk about you moving to the capital this summer – when did you know that the move was going to happen?

“I knew about a month ago when I received a call from Walter Sabatini. It was then that I started to believe that it was really happening.”

What has Walter Sabatini said to you?

“He welcomed me to the club and told me that both the club and the coach really wanted to have me here. That’s obviously great to know and gives me real incentive to do well in this shirt.”

Have you spoken with Luciano Spalletti yet? What has he said to you?

“Yes, I saw him just before lunch. He said hello and welcomed me to the team. We’re heading off for the training camp soon so I’m sure we’ll have a chance to speak more.”

You link up with former Empoli team-mates Leandro Paredes and Lukasz Skorupski here. Have they told you anything about what it’s like at Roma?

“Yes, they told me that it’s very different playing here and there’s obviously that extra level of pressure. They said some lovely things about the fans and the city, so I’m delighted because they helped me get an idea of the place.”

You were the third-best defender in Serie A in terms of passes completed last season. How would you describe your technical characteristics?

“To tell you the truth I don’t like talking about myself – I prefer letting other people make up their minds. What I will say is that I will give 100% and try to do my best for this team.”

At 25 years of age, is there a particular part of your game that you think you can still improve?

“I think that a 25-year-old player can still improve across the board. In my eyes you can continue getting better right up until you retire. If you start thinking you’ve made it, that’s the end. I will try to improve in every area possible while I’m here at Roma.”

What’s your goal for this season?

“I hope to contribute and help the team to build on the work they did last season. We hope to achieve all our objectives.”

You’ve been playing in Serie A for two seasons now. What perception did you have of Roma as an opponent?

“It was always very tough to play against Roma because it felt like they were running at double speed! It speaks volumes when the great players Roma have put that effort in – it’s impressive.”

This will be your first season playing in Europe and you’ll be doing so alongside players of the calibre of Mohamed Salah, Kevin Strootman and Kostas Manolas. How does that feel?

“It’s fantastic to have such great players in the team. I’m sure they’ll really help me and play a key role in the group achieving its objectives.”

How does it feel to be joining Roma for Francesco Totti’s last season as a player?

“It’s a wonderful feeling because playing alongside a top player like Totti gives you extra motivation and spurs you on to give everything you have.”

Do you have a message for the Giallorossi fans?

“Come to the stadium because I’m convinced that this is going to be an amazing season for all of us.”