Edin Dzeko: Roma sign Man City striker on season-long loan

Edin Dzeko has completed his move from Manchester City to Roma, it has been confirmed.

Roma initially wanted to buy Dzeko outright, but were put off by Manchester City’s £20m valuation for the striker. During the latter’s triumph-in the 2013-14 campaign, he bagged 16 goals in 31 outings, while he scored 14 in 30 in the 2011-12 season.

City have also allowed Stevan Jovetic to leave this summer, with Academy graduate Kelechi Iheanacho expected to offer back-up to senior strikers Aguero and Wilfried Bony, while new signing Raheem Sterling can also operate as a centre-forward.

Dzeko was popular among the club’s fans, and while there were was often used as a backup option for the Sky Blues-rather than as the team’s leading man-he played his part in some memorable victories during the club’s golden era. That was enough for him, he needs a change.

Dzeko is therefore free to make his Roma debut in Friday’s friendly with Sevilla.

Dzeko, 29, has spent the past four seasons at the Etihad after arriving from Wolfsburg.

“Edin made a big contribution to this club”, he said.

Speaking after completing a medical and signing a contract in Italy, Dzeko told Roma TV: “I came here to win titles with Roma. I am very happy and can’t wait to get started”.

The arrangement mirrors Alvaro Negredo’s switch to Valencia in 2014 with a season-long loan and an obligation to buy.