Interview: Karsdorp says there is more to come after agreeing new deal

The Dutchman put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal with the club, which now runs until 30 June 2025.

And Karsdorp - who has provided more assists than any other defender in Serie A so far this term - believes he still has not shown the Roma fans the full extent of what he is capable of.

"Yeah, it feels great to sign until 2025," Karsdorp said.

"The club has shown a lot of confidence in me. The first few years here were not the best for me, I did not play a lot in the last few seasons - but now I have played almost every game this season and you see in the fact I have signed a contract until 2025."

He added: "I know myself and I know that I am not at my best like I was at Feyenoord. But I am improving with each game and I hope to get to that point very soon."

What has been the secret to your form this season?

"I think everyone here at the club helps. We are a very close group. As you know I did not play much in the last three seasons, and so I knew I had to change something. I did that and, yeah, it’s going well – I’ve played almost every game so far."

You’ve found consistency in your form and your fitness this season - have the medical and fitness department helped you with that? And the coach too?

"Yes, I think it is a bit of all those things you said. The coach has helped me a lot. Since coming back from Feyenoord, I have had to get used to a different style of play, I have had to learn from the coach what he wants from me. So yes, all those things have helped me. And so have the other members of the coaching stuff, my teammates, everyone.”

When you returned to the club in the summer, did you always believe you would become such an integral part of the team so quickly?

"When I came back here I definitely hoped it would happen. I said to my wife, I said to my father, I said to my mother – ‘I still believe in myself’. And they still believed in me. So why not? But then I had to go out and do it.

"And then you have to have the confidence of the coach, the club. I know myself well and I know what I can do and, yeah, so far I’ve already played 30 games this season."

How much does it mean for you to have your dad here with you when you sign this contract?

"Certainly it’s great. I have a great relationship with my dad, my parents-in-law are here as well. I asked my mother, but with Covid it is not easy for her to travel. But we will have the chance to celebrate soon.”

After a difficult start here in Rome, is it fair to say you feel a lot more settled as part of this squad and in this city?

"Definitely. Going back to what I said before, it’s not easy not to play much for three years. You are in a new country and everything is harder. But now I have more experience, I came back and I know the league better, the city – even the traffic! Everything has helped a bit and now people are seeing the real Rick."

And finally, what are your targets now – what do you want to achieve here over the next few years?

"There is so much I want to achieve. Otherwise I would not have signed until 2025. As a player, you always want to win the league or the cup – so let’s go and try and do it!”