'Roma was always the priority': Andrea Belotti's first interview

Andrea Belotti is officially a Roma player!

The Italy international completed his move to the Giallorossi on Sunday afternoon, taking the No. 11 shirt for Jose Mourinho's men.

After a summer of speculation and conjecture, here is what the striker had to say about his new adventure in the Italian capital...

Welcome to the club Andrea. Firstly how do you feel having joined Roma?

“I am ready and I am really excited. I can’t wait to get working with the coach and alongside my new teammates.”

It’s common knowledge that you received a few different offers in recent months. Why did you choose Roma?

“Roma was my priority. I always thought that it would be the right club for me. The club is really ambitious and has big plans. There is no doubt that the fact that they won the Europa Conference League last season is a sign that the club is going places.”

How did the negotiations go?

“I knew what the club thought of me, but the contract negotiations only took place over the last week.”

Jose Mourinho said a few days ago in a press conference that he liked how determined and keen you were to join Roma. Are you excited to work with him?

“I’m excited to work with a coach who’s won so much. He can really find the best way to motivate me and I can’t wait to play for him.”

There are a few different Italy international teammates of yours here at the club. You’ll get to know them even better at Trigoria…

“There are so many Italy players here who I know from international duty. I’ve got a good relationship with them and I’m convinced that they’ll help to get the best out of me.”

There is also your former teammate Paulo Dybala, who you played with at Palermo...

“Yes, we played together at Palermo for two seasons. We then left the club at the same time, going to the same city but different clubs. We’re now back together at the same club. It’ll be lovely to be with him again.”

You faced Roma many times in your career. How much do you think the team has improved in recent years?

“I think the team has come on a lot recently. It’s the product of the owners’ ambitions, a winning coach - but most of all the results on the pitch. I think that these are the fundamental reasons why Roma have improved and keep on improving as of late.”

Do you have any specific aims for this season?

“I’m keen on improving myself on a daily basis, doing better than I did yesterday. Any way in which I improve could serve to help the club’s ambitions.”

Are you keen to experience, although you have already done so in the past, the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico as a Roma player?

“Yes, I’m really keen, as I’ve only experienced it playing from the opposition. What I can say is that every time I played against Roma when I heard the anthem before the game it left quite the impression on me.

“I can’t imagine how I’ll feel and what will go through my head hearing it as a Roma player for the first time. I can’t wait to find out.”

If you’d looked at social media recently, you’d seen that the fans were keen for you to come…

“Indeed. So many people have messaged me. This was a clear indication for me that the fans wanted me here. All I can do now is go out and play and show what I can do to repay the fans’ love.”