Dzeko completes season-long loan transfer to Roma

Edin Dzeko will spend the duration of the 2015/16 season in the colours of Roma, who have the option to take him on a permanent basis next summer.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined Manchester City in January 2011, and played his part in helping the Blues end their 35-year wait for silverware when they won the FA Cup in 2012. Even better was to come when they won the Premier League title the following season, a feat they repeated in 2014 when they also defeated Sunderland to lift the League Cup at Wembley.

Despite a return of 71 goals in 186 appearances in all competitions, Dzeko was unable to cement his place as an automatic pick in the starting XI. Although he signed a new four-year contract just 12 months ago, speculation surrounding his future has been rife for some weeks and, as expected, the 29-year-old has now completed a season-long loan deal with Serie A giants Roma.

Speaking after he sealed his move to the Italian capital, the former Wolfsburg striker spoke of his ambitions for the Giallorossi. He said: “I came here to win titles with Roma. I hope we will win many trophies but first we have to work hard on the field and in the end, we can get where we want. I can only promise you one thing: I will give my best to this team in every game.”

Roma had initially wanted to sign Dzeko outright this summer, but were only willing to pay £14.1million for his signature whilst City were holding out for £20million. Instead, the Serie A side, who have finished runners-up to Juventus in both of the last two campaigns, will pay £2.86million for the loan spell this term, with a further £7.88million should they make the move permanent.

City have also let Stevan Jovetic leave, with Inter Milan taking him on loan for the season, but Manuel Pellegrini insists he has no need to restock his striker quota. Sergio Aguero, of course, will always be the main man up front when fit, and he will be complemented by Wilfried Bony and young Kelechi Iheanacho whilst Raheem Sterling can also play a central role.

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