Veretout's first interview: Fonseca convinced me this is where I need to be

The French midfielder completed his transfer to the Giallorossi on Saturday afternoon - and soon after sat down with Roma TV to discuss the move.

Read everything Veretout had to say...

Jordan, what does it mean to you to be a Roma player?

"It means that I'm at a big club, here today. I'm very happy - this is a club with an illustrious history and great players. It'll be a chance to play with fantastic team-mates, so it's very positive for me and I'm very happy."

Several clubs were after you this summer. It was a lengthy negotiation process. What was it that convinced you to pick Roma?

"It's true that it's been quite a lengthy process but I'm happy to have arrived here in Rome. Roma are a great club, which is one of the reasons that I'm here. But it was also down to the coach, who called me up and convinced me to come here. I think I can develop with his help."

Can we ask how Fonseca managed to convince you?

"He spoke to me and said he'd been monitoring my progress, and wanted me in his team. He explained how he wants us to play. I liked what he had to say. I think he can really help me. It's up to me to work hard and put everything into practice out on the pitch, to be the best player I can."

An interesting fact - you'll be the 16th Frenchman to play for Roma. Some great players have had spells here in the past. Right now Steven Nzonzi, Maxime Gonalons, and Defrel are here.

"I'm the 16th French player to come here - that's nice. I'm very happy to have signed for Roma - it means I'll be playing in a great side.

"From the past there's Candela, Mexes, Lucas Digne. These are players I'm very familiar with, who I admire and admired before."

You arrive at Roma at an age where, as a player, you've fully matured.

"Yes, I think I've matured, through my experience both abroad and here in Italy. I'm very happy to be in Rome - a big and beautiful city. I think my family are really going to like it here and that's important for me, that those around me feel good.

"I can only grow and develop here. I hope to do all I can to help Roma and make sure everything goes well."

You mentioned the experience with Fiorentina. After two years in Italy, many say you're now a more technically complete player, from a technical perspective.

"Yes, I think this league suits me well. I like it here in Italy. I get a lot of pleasure from playing here and I'm developing too. This league matches nicely with my style and that's a reason why I decided to stay here in this league - one of the best in Europe. As long as I'm happy here, I'll be staying in Italy and at Roma as long as I can."

It's said, and it can be seen on the pitch, that you're a flexible player, given the qualities that you have. You've played in various midfield roles, but which one do you like the most?

"I'm easy either way. As long as the coach picks me, and wherever he puts me, I'll give everything. I like getting forward but I like defending too. I've learned to attack and defend here in Italy. I don't have a preference either way."

You've become a goal-scoring midfielder in Italy. You've scored a lot and more than average for your position.

"During my first year in Italy I played higher up the pitch. I was able to push forward. So I'd find myself more often in positions to finish off moves. I played more in front of the defence in my second year. In that case you're further away from the goal, which makes it harder to get forward and score.

"Those are two positions that have helped me develop, especially playing in front of the defence. It's a role I wasn't familiar with before, so I learned a lot by playing there, in terms of how you think in that position and how you operate. It's given me a great deal. Of course, when you play wide of a midfield three you can get forward more."

We've spoken about your experience, your position and the fact you're scoring more goals. You're also something of a dead-ball specialist.

"Yes, I like taking free-kicks, any dead-ball situation really. It's up to the coach to decide of course. I think Roma already have some free-kick takers. We'll see but I'm not going to worry about it. You tend to get a feel for these things on the pitch anyway. We'll see. The main thing is I'm a Roma player and I'm delighted. It took a long time to sort out but this is a very happy day for me."

You've gained a lot of experience in France, England and now in Italy too. What are the main differences between those leagues?

"English football tends to be more end to end and a bit more physical. The French league is very physical too. There are some very fast players and the ball is played forward quickly. Italy is a lot more tactical, more cautious. We spend a lot more time analysing videos. We learn a lot more about tactics. There are some excellent players too. I love playing in this league, building from the back, always playing the ball... That's what football should be about."

It's the start of a new adventure. What's your primary goal?

"My goal is to enjoy playing for Roma, to get results and finish as high up the table as possible. If Roma are doing well, I might have more chance of getting into the France squad too. I've been in the preliminary squad a few times so playing for France is another goal of mine. I'm not thinking about it too much but I have everything I need to succeed: I'm at a great club with great team-mates so I just have to get on with the job and we'll see what happens."

One last question. What would you like to say to the Roma fans?

"Just that I'm very happy to be here. I hope they're happy too. I'll give everything for this club and fight for these colours. As an opposition player, I've seen the way the fans get behind the team. They're amazing. It's one of the reasons why I'm here.

"I love the Roma fans and the atmosphere at the stadium. All these things together made Roma the first choice for me. I'm really happy to be here."