Roma confirm Benatia signing

Roma have clinched the signing of French-born defender Mehdi Benatia from Udinese.

The 26-year-old trained with his new team-mates in Trigoria on Saturday prior to the deal’s completion after being granted permission to do so by Udinese, and joins on a five-year deal.

The Morocco international spent time at the National Institute of Football in Clairefontaine as a youngster and has also played for Marseille and Clermont.

Describing their new acquisition, Roma said on their official website: “An imposing centre-back: 6′ 4” and 14 stones of pure power. A dominante of the rearguard, to use a term much loved by sporting director Walter Sabatini.

“Mehdi Benatia is a lot more than just muscle. His stature is certainly a great asset for the position he plays in – he rarely gets beaten in the air or in one-on-one situations – but he’s also well equipped in the skill department.

“He’s got a useful right foot on him and is not unknown to hit the back of the net.”

In a financial statement, the club also confirmed that Valerio Verre and Nicolas Lopez will go in the opposite direction and join Udinese.