Barcelona and former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has joined AS Roma on a season-long loan deal.

The Belgian has now made an initial loan switch to Serie A with Roma retaining the option to buy next summer.

A statement released on Barca's website read: "FC Barcelona and AS Roma have reached an agreement for the loan of Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen for the 2016/17 season.

"The Italian club contractually agrees that the participation of the player remains active during the loan. The agreement includes an option for Roma to buy the player at the end of the 2016/17 season."