New Roma signing Juan Manuel Iturbe has revealed that he has joined the Giallorossi to grow as player and learn from club icons Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi.
The 21-year-old Argentine was presented to the media on July 18, two days after completing his €22 million deal from Hellas Verona.
“I’m happy to be here and I thank Roma for having signed me,” Iturbe said. “I have to work to prove my worth. I’m young, I’m here to grow and I can learn so many things with [Rudi] Garcia.
“I am happy to train with a coach who knows so much about football. During the next few days we will see what position I will be given in the team.”
Iturbe, who scored eight goals in 33 games last season with Verona, was rumoured to be a target of Juventus as well as AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Liverpool.
“It was not easy to negotiate with Hellas but I’ve learnt a little of the [transfer] market in the summer.
“I never had plans to go to travel to Turin. I arrived in Rome and my agent told me of the offer from Roma and I liked it, so we signed up immediately.
Roma have brought in Seydou Keita, Salih Ucan, Ashley Cole and Urby Emanuelson already this summer as they push to challenge Juventus once more for the Scudetto.
“All teams want to win the league. We are competitive and we hope to have a good championship.
“I can not wait to play with Totti and De Rossi. Playing alongside an emblem like Totti will be amazing and I want to learn many things from him as I did with [Luca] Toni.”
Iturbe will wear the number seven shirt at the Stadio Olimpico.
