Former Man United defender Chris Smalling is set to sign a new contract at Roma that will keep him in the Italian capital until at least 2025.
The 33-year-old defender initially joined the Romans on loan in 2019 and immediately became a fan-favorite, being referred to affectionately as “Chris Smalldini” in reference to AC Milan’s legendary captain Paolo Maldini due to his commanding performances. The following summer, the English defender’s move was made permanent for a fee of $16.4m, potentially rising to $21.85m in add-ons.
Chris Smalling signs new two-year deal with Roma
Smalling was set to be out of contract at Roma at the end of the season but after becoming a mainstay in Jose Mourinho’s back three, his consistency has been rewarded with another two-year deal, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano who broke the news this morning.
Understand Chris Smalling’s agent has now landed in Italy in order to complete the agreement on new deal for English centre back with AS Roma 🟡🔴🏴 #transfers
New contract until 2025, almost agreed & set to be signed — final details to be sorted in the next days with his agent. pic.twitter.com/F9deo5KyVS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2023
Smalling is likely to miss out on tonight’s Europa League semi-final against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen with a persistent hamstring injury, however, with the Romans looking for their second European major trophy in as many years, following on from their 1-0 victory over Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final last season.
