• European football

Complicated deal finally sees Bojan join Roma

ESPN staff
July 22, 2011
Bojan will now play in Serie A © Getty Images
Enlarge

Barcelona have confirmed they have agreed to sell forward Bojan Krkic to Roma for €12 million.

The deal includes a buy-back option that would allow Barca to re-sign the player at the end of the 2012-13 season for €13 million, but Roma can nullify the clause if they pay a further €28 million.

Bojan, 20, was one of the best rated young talents to emerge from the Barcelona academy and made his debut for the club in the 2007-08 season, but he has found his first-team opportunities restricted of late.

At Roma, he will join up with former Barcelona B coach Luis Enrique.

"It's not an easy decision - it's a bittersweet situation for me," Bojan told a press conference at the Camp Nou. "I was at this club for a long time. This is the start of a new era.

"It wasn't possible to stay here, so I'm pleased that another club believes in me. The last year, there wasn't much belief in me, but I'm proud to have been part of a group that became the best team in the world.

"Not getting the chance to play in the Champions League final, for the second time in a row, is one of the reasons I am leaving. I hope that I can rediscover my enjoyment of football, which is something I had lost over the last year in particular."

Asked about the prospect of returning to the club in 2013, Bojan said: "You never know. It will depend on me and how I perform.

"Luis Enrique has been crucial in my choice. I'm grateful to him. Guardiola is the best coach in the world, but of course I don't agree with some of the decisions he has made."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices