Ekroth wants to make experience count with Roma

The Swedish defender, 30, completed her move to the Giallorosse on Wednesday – with her experience bolstering Betty Bavagnoli’s defensive options heading into the second half of the campaign.

Ekroth, who won the league and cup double last season with Juventus, believes she will have a lot to offer her new teammates, and is excited to get started.

“I had a lot of offers, then things moved very quickly,” Ekroth told Roma TV.

“I heard so many great things about the club, about the players and the staff, that I immediately had a good feeling about it. That is why I wanted to come here.”

She added: “I want to help the team improve and I hope that we can finish higher in the league than we did last year – because winning the league and the cup, as I did last season, is really a special feeling. That has to be our aim, I hope that we are able to play to the maximum of our ability.”

What do you expect from the second half of the season?

“I’m expecting a lot of tough games. I think that during the World Cup last summer Italy did really well, and because of that the league here is now improving: a lot of great players arrived, and I think I will improve as well as a player in this environment.”

What are your characteristics as a player?

“I would say that I am a player that likes to have the ball at her feet, I want to be involved in starting the attacking moves and I try to play well off both feet. I’m good in the air as well, but in general I’m a very physical player.”

You’ve already begun training with your new teammates: what are your first impressions?

“I had a chat with the coach about my role on the pitch and my initial impressions here. Unfortunately we haven’t had time yet to talk about other things but nevertheless it was nice. Personally I want to keep improving as a player, and add a bit of experience to the side.

"Naturally as a team I hope that we are able to reach the top of the table, or at least manage to qualify for the Champions League. I love to win, so that always has to be the aim.”