Opinion: Why Mario Rui is the ideal signing for Roma

The 25-year-old fullback officially signed for the Giallorossi on Friday after spells with Benfica, Parma, Spezia and Empoli, and Roma will be hoping they will now see the best years of his career in the Italian capital.

With vast experience gained from those adventures, Rui has grown into a top class player and Luciano Spalletti will be anxious to start working with him on the training ground.

Beginning his professional career in 2010, international eyes started to take notice of Rui last year after his fine form at Empoli. Playing a total of 96 matches for Empoli, he was one of the driving forces that helped them gain promotion to Serie A and underlined his importance to the team by helping the club to finish the 2015-16 season in Serie A’s top 10.

The Portuguese defender’s style is something to behold.

Strong in the tackle, Rui reads the game like a forward – comfortable taking the ball into the opponent’s half, beginning the attack with a key pass to open up space or dribbling past a player or two to get his side moving towards goal.

When it comes to crosses, he led Empoli’s stats for the past two seasons with 155 crosses – at least 54 more than any other teammate, according to @OptaPaolo.

At 1.70m tall, he makes the most of his size by demonstrating a reading of the play that very often foils the opponent’s attack with an interception or clearance, of which he accumulated 92 and 122 respectively last season.

Spalletti now has a groomed, ready and able full-back in Mario Rui.

A skillful player full of determination, he seems a perfect signing for a manager who requires his players to give their all.

It’s now time for the man from Sines to hit the ground running.