Belgian international striker Romelu Lukaku admitted to having been “moved” by the reception of AS Roma supporters who were 5,000 waiting for him at the airport on Wednesday when he arrived on loan from Chelsea. “The reception of this club and its tifosi has moved me and represents an additional source of motivation, I will give everything for my new team”, declared Lukaku in the press release published Thursday by Roma to formalize his arrival under the form of a one-year loan of seven million euros.
“I know the atmosphere of the Olympic Stadium when I played there, I know the warmth of the tifosi of Roma and it’s nice to know that I am now part of this family,” he continued. In Rome, Lukaku, 30, will find José Mourinho with whom he has already worked for two seasons at Chelsea in 2013-14 and at Manchester United in 2017-18 for a record of 33 goals in 76 matches in all competitions. “I spoke with the leaders, in particular with the owners and what struck me was the ambition they have for this club,” he said.
“Now we have to work, be humble and improve game after game, I can’t wait to make myself available to my teammates, on and off the pitch”, concluded “Big Rom” who spent last season at Inter Milan (14 goals in 37 matches in all competitions), already on loan. If he trained on Thursday with his new teammates, Lukaku should not be aligned when receiving AC Milan on Friday as part of the 3rd day.
His last official match dates back to mid-June with Belgium, since he did not participate in Chelsea’s training camps or preparation matches this summer. Argentinian Paulo Dybala is not expected to start the game due to muscle issues that have limited his participation in training this week.
After two days, AS Roma is 13th in the Italian Championship, with only one point.
