Chris Smalling is delighted to have signed permanently with AS Roma.

Smalling joins from Manchester United in a €15m deal.

“It's a massive, massive relief. I think that everyone knew I wanted to come back and to finally get it done, albeit so close to the deadline, it's just pure relief. Now I can enjoy being back and then get straight back to it with the team tomorrow," he told the official Roma website.

He was greeted at the airport this afternoon by fans chanting his name.

“It was truly, truly special. I could feel tingles up my spine. To see such a big crowd as soon as I landed… honestly, I felt the love from the fans as soon as I first stepped on the pitch but it has just grown and grown [since] and it's just such a special feeling.

“A few times I've seen players sign at various places and they might get a crowd, but to have it happen to myself is something I never thought would happen. To have that just makes me want to really give back as much as I can."

Smalling admits he feared time would run out to negotiate a deal.

“I'm generally known as quite a calm guy but there were definitely times when I was just so up and down [emotionally]. Obviously, me knowing what I wanted to do but waiting for it to happen.

“But everyone here worked so hard to get it done, and I am so thankful to everyone who helped in that process."