Former Roma and current Juventus defender Medhi Benatia encouraged Kevin Strootman to leave the Eternal City in favour of a move to Olympique Marseille.
The Moroccan played with the Dutchman in the Italian capital, where Strootman has now left in order to join up with ex-Giallorossi boss Rudi Garcia in southern France.
“I spoke with him on the phone and we spoke about the Stade Velodrome,” Benatia, who started his career on the books of the French club, said to L’Equipe.
“He loves this kind of challenge. I told him what was waiting for him there and that I was happy.
“Rudi Garcia knows him very well and he is a great coach. Kevin will do very well in the OM midfield. He is a leader, a force of nature and technically gifted, the fans will love him.”
Strootman’s exit will likely mean there will be more opportunities for some of Roma’s younger players, namely Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
