Former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is delighted with his move to Roma.

Smalling admits he enjoyed playing for Roma's fans while on-loan last season.

"I'm very happy to be here," he told reporters.

“I am convinced that the team is stronger this year thanks to the experience gained in the last season. I can not wait to start, we want to take away great satisfaction".

"I felt pure happiness when I arrived, I had never felt such affection from the fans. I want to return this affection by helping the team to win a trophy".

"I think Rome has one of the best captains in the world, Edin Dzeko, there are many leaders and Dzeko is one of them. I want to be a leader on and off the field, like I did last season. I want to work to become one outside the camp and therefore I intend to learn Italian.

"I wanted to relive the joys of last season with this team and this coach. The city is also very pleasant. The negotiations were long and painful, I am grateful to Roma for being here and I want to repay the trust.

"Once in Trigoria I met Guido Fienga and Ryan Friedkin, it was a pleasure to meet the new owners. They make feel their presence, even the other day, they followed the training.

“They make us feel very united and compact, like a real family. It happened very few times in my career to see the owners close to the team."