Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has signed for Serie A side AS Roma. The Polish international confirmed the move himself via his Instagram account on Sunday after Arsene Wenger stated it was close to completion on Friday.
Roma are reported to be interested in keeping hold of Szczesny on a permanent basis after the loan spell and they are rumored to have a £5 million future fee option if Szczesny is successful.
Dropped from Arsenal team
Szczesny was dropped from the Arsenal first team by Arsene Wenger in January after a disastrous 2-0 defeat at Southampton, which resulted in the Pole smoking in the showers after the game. David Ospina became the Gunners regular number one in the Premier League, while Szczesny was relegated to the FA Cup squad.
With Arsenal bringing in Petr Cech from Chelsea for £10 million as their new number one, Arsene Wenger looks set on having the Colombian Ospina as his number two, which means Szczesny could look to make the move permanent following Roma's initial loan fee of £250,000.
Szczesny released a video on his Instagram account on Sunday stating "Good evening Giallorossi. I am very happy, because I am going to Roma tomorrow. I'll see you soon."
Arsene Wenger spoke about the importance of first team football for Szczesny to continue his development. He said that "Szczesny is a top-class goalkeeper and the club "have three goalkeepers who are top. For one of the keepers, if he can play somewhere that would be good."
Wenger went on to say that the Polish international does still have a future at The Emirates despite the loan move. The Frenchman told the club's official website that he "rates him highly – you do not take a boy and put him in the first team at the age of 20. He already has huge experience". He went onto say that he "does not want that experience at such a young age to be wasted.”