Steven Nzonzi completes Roma move

AS Roma are delighted to confirm the signing of World Cup-winning midfielder Steven Nzonzi on a long-term deal.

The France international, 29, joins the Giallorossi from Spanish club Sevilla for an initial fee of €26.65 million. The deal also includes a number of performance-related clauses, on the part of both the player and the club, that could be worth up to an additional €4m.

Nzonzi has agreed a four-year contract with the club that runs until 30 June 2022.

He will wear the No. 42 shirt during the upcoming campaign.

"I feel very happy to be here, and to be a new Roma player,” Nzonzi said.

“I always want to improve – regardless of age, the most important thing is to give your best and work hard. I want to do that, to become a better player and help the team with my play and experience.”

A powerful, combative central midfielder, Nzonzi was a significant part of the France side that won the World Cup in Russia this summer. He played in five of the team’s seven games – including 35 minutes as a substitute in the final as Les Bleus held off Croatia to lift the trophy.

At club level, Nzonzi has spent the last three years at Sevilla – becoming a dependable presence in the heart of midfield, with his form helping his club lift the Europa League in 2016 and subsequently earning him international recognition for the first time in his career.

Moving to Roma sees him unite once again with Monchi, the sporting director who initially brought him to Spain.

“Steven is a footballer with a mix of physical and technical qualities that we think will really add to the players that we already have here,” Monchi said.

“With his arrival, we have even more quality and competition in midfield.”

After starting his professional career in France with Amiens, Nzonzi went on to spend the majority of his formative footballing years in England – representing Premier League side Blackburn Rovers and subsequently Stoke City.

In total he has nine caps for France.