It's been a somewhat turbulent summer for Mario Hermoso , who until the last minute had not given the OK to his new team. In this case, it is Roma that has acquired the services of the Madrid native, who has signed for two seasons with the Loba . The capital squad is the one who has taken the cat to the water, completely burying Diego Pablo Simeone 's hopes of keeping him at Atlético de Madrid .
The Madrid native and the red-and-white club have been negotiating in recent months, but have not been able to reach a definitive agreement. The talks broke down in mid-June, although Diego Simeone tried to avoid it. It was at that 'coincidence' in Ibiza, during the summer holidays, when the coach and the defender saw each other.
The Argentine also tried to convince him to stay by means of a public message in the press conference after the victory in Palma de Mallorca . "I hope Mario Hermoso stays with us," said the coach after winning in the Balearic island. But it was not to be; the paths have gone in different directions and Mario Hermoso is a new player for AS Roma , where he will play with the Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk .
Rome and Madrid are two similar cities
The centre-back has already given his impressions on the similarities between Roma and Madrid : "The clubs have many things in common: a great club, a great history. The mixed feelings of passion and fanaticism that all the supporters have for their team, for their club. That's a bit of what I have in common with Atlético ; it's a bit like that big family within the city."
"A very important city, magnificent, beautiful, history and events say so, many things in common," he explained. These are Mario Hermoso 's impressions of his new team and the similarities with Atlético de Madrid. A team with which some of the fans of both clubs have excellent relations between them, however, Roma presented it with its flag in the Fondo Sur.
Matteo Moretto: Signed for two seasons plus an optional one
A big nod to the Roma club, which the Italian club's social media managers did not want to miss, recalling that legendary celebration by Mario Hermoso against Inter Milan . A new life begins for the left-footed centre-back, who, according to Matteo Moretto, has signed for two years with the option for an additional one and with a salary of 3.5 million euros.
These were the figures that Atlético de Madrid offered him, although lower due to the tax advantages that Italy has regarding transfers. His family was key in Mario Hermoso choosing Italy and Rome rather than Turkey or Saudi Arabia . The Madrid native will coincide in Italy with Álvaro Morata , who will be his great rival with AC Milan , despite the friendship they maintain between them.