Chris Smalling signs new two-year deal to stay at Roma… as former Man United defender vows to ‘make history’ in Italy as he calls his new contract an ‘honor’
- Chris Smalling has signed a two-year contract with AS Roma, extending his contract until 2025
- The 33-year-old has had ‘one of the best parts of his career’ at the club
- He has won the 2021/22 Europa Conference League and wants to win more titles
Chris Smalling has signed a new two-year contract with Roma.
The former England international has had an impressive spell at the club since joining Manchester United on loan in 2019 and moving permanently to the Italian capital in 2020.
He shows no signs of slowing down as he has made more appearances this season (47) than any other season since 2015/16.
The 33-year-old played every minute of La Giallorossi’s Europa League defeat to Sevilla.
On Twitter, Smalling said: ‘It is an honor for me to extend my contract with this special club. I want to achieve a lot more and I want it to be with this team. I’m excited to start this new chapter with all of you, and let’s make history together! Thank you.’
Chris Smalling has signed a two-year contract extension with Italy’s Roma
The former Man United defender admitted it was ‘an easy decision’ for him
In an interview on the club’s YouTube channel, he said, “For me it’s an easy decision because the last few years have been one of the best parts of my career. The support is incredible every time I take my dog for a walk or go to the grocery store.
“Everything is so complete here that, as I said, it was an easy decision to stay, for myself, for football ambitions and for my family. It’s just the perfect choice for me.
‘I feel fitter than ever. I feel like I am recovering from competitions and I have been able to participate in many competitions this season (…) hopefully I will get better and keep improving.”
The commentary section was filled with admiration for the defender, with many calling him ‘Grande Smalling’.
Just 15 games into his spell at Roma, the former Manchester United defender was voted the club’s second-best central defender of the decade in a poll.
In 2021/22, he was at the center of the defense that won its first Europa Conference League title via a 1-0 win over Feyenoord.
He was also one of four Roma players named to the Conference League’s Team of the Season alongside compatriot Tammy Abraham.