Chris Smalling pens new two-year deal to stay with Roma… as 33-year-old vows to ‘make history’ in Italy as he labels his fresh contract as an ‘honour’
- Chris Smalling has signed a two-year deal with Roma, extending his deal to 2025
- The 33-year-old has enjoyed ‘one of the best parts of his career’ at the club
- Having won the 2021/22 Europa Conference League, he wants to win more titles
Chris Smalling has signed a new two-year contract with Roma.
The former England international has had an impressive stint with the club since joining on loan from Manchester United in 2019 and transferred permanently to the Italian capital in 2020.
He shows no sign of slowing down, having made more appearances this season (47) than any other campaign since 2015/16.
The 33-year-old played every single minute of La Giallorossi’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla.
On Twitter, Smalling said: ‘It’s an honour for me to renew 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 you all, and together, let’s make history! Thank you.’
All smiles: Chris Smalling has been an integral part of Roma’s backbone over the last few years
No smiles: The 33-year-old suffered the anguish of losing in the Europa League final vs Sevilla
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 go to walk my dog or go to the supermarket.
‘Everything is so complete here that it was, like I said, an easy decision to stay for myself, for footballing ambition, as well as for my family. It’s just the perfect choice for me.
‘I feel fitter than ever. I’m feeling like I’m recovering from games and I was able to be part of many games this season (…) hopefully I will become better and keep improving.’
The comments section was filled with adoration for the defender, with many christening him ‘Grande Smalling’.
Just 15 games into his stint at Roma, the goatee-toting Greenwich native was voted the club’s second-best centre-back of the decade in a poll.
In 2021/22, he was at the heart of the defence that won the inaugural Europa Conference League title via a 1-0 win over Feyenoord.
He was also one of four Roma players to be voted in the Conference League’s Team of the Season alongside fellow countryman Tammy Abraham.
