Rodrigo Mora reveals his concern as talks with FC Porto dragged on, but is ‘so happy’ to be at Roma with idol Paulo Dybala and coach Gian Piero Gasperini. ‘He likes Number 10 players.’
The Portuguese talent was part of a long negotiation process, but this time the deal finally went through with changed terms.
The Giallorossi are paying €25m now to FC Porto with 50 per cent of the future sale, but the other half of his contract can be purchased next summer for a further €25m.
He was greeted at the airport yesterday by thousands of fans, then put pen to paper on the contract.
Rodrigo Mora joins Roma at last
“I wish to thank Roma and Porto,” Mora told the official club media channels.
“I am very happy to be here, I thank the fans for the support they showed me in the airport. I am honestly very happy and hope to have a great season.”
The trequartista didn’t quite fit into the vision of Porto’s Italian coach Francesco Farioli, but is very excited to meet one new Roma teammate in particular.
“I grew up watching Dybala, and now being able to play alongside him is so gratifying for me. I can’t wait to get to know him. I think my main strength is shaking off opponents in complicated situations.”
Coach Gasperini famously got the best out of some players with Atalanta and Roma, including Papu Gomez and Teun Koopmeiners, who never recaptured that elsewhere.
“Undoubtedly I am also very eager to work with the coach. I think he really likes Number 10 players, and I love to play in that role too, so I think we’ll get along well,” added Mora.
The Stadio Olimpico isn’t entirely new to him, because he played there as an opponent with FC Porto.
“I was so impressed by the fans, they are very passionate and loud. I was struck by the amount of noise they made. It was a difficult match and Roma won, but I couldn’t forget those fans.
“I still haven’t had the opportunity to play in the Champions League, and I know I’m still young, but that has always been a dream and an objective of mine. I am very happy and can’t wait to play in that tournament with Roma.”
Mora has chosen the Number 86 jersey, which he had also worn in the Porto reserve team since the age of 15.
“I spent my whole life at Porto, but I have no doubt this will be a positive change for me, and I am very happy.”
Roma have had a lot of fraught negotiations this season, many of them falling apart, so was Mora worried it might not happen?
“Yes, as everyone knows, it was a difficult process that lasted quite a long time. I couldn’t wait to get here, I always had faith even when things didn’t seem to be going that well.
“When I found out that I would be coming, I was very happy and grateful. In all honesty, when I discovered Roma were interested, so many people started sending messages and it struck me. I thank everyone, I’m so happy.”
