Official: Dovbyk joins Bologna from Roma with permanent option
Quick summary
Striker Artem Dovbyk has officially moved from Roma to Bologna, with the deal including an option to make the transfer permanent.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceBologna have officially announced their signing of centre-forward Artem Dovbyk on loan with an option to buy from Roma, following the news that Santiago Castro has moved in the opposite direction on a permanent transfer.
Official: Bologna sign Dovbyk from Roma Recent reports indicate that Bologna have agreed to pay a fee of €3m to take Dovbyk on loan for the 2026-27 season and that they will have an option to make the transfer permanent for a further cost of €18m.
This move has gone through on the same day that Castro’s move from Bologna to Roma was confirmed : The Giallorossi have signed the Argentine at a cost of €35m plus bonuses, with a 10% sell-on clause also included.
This marks the end of a two-year spell at the Stadio Olimpico for Dovbyk. The Ukrainian had joined in a €38m deal from Girona in the summer of 2024, following a 2023-24 season that saw him claim top scorer status in LaLiga.
Despite netting 12 goals from 32 appearances in his first season in Rome, Dovbyk’s 2025-26 season was massively derailed by injury and fitness issues, which limited him to just 14 league outings across the season.
He will now become the first Ukrainian to represent Bologna.
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Artem Dovbik of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Olimpico on October 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) “Bologna FC 1909 announced that it has acquired the rights and services to Artem Dovbyk from AS Roma on a temporary basis until Jun 30, 2027 with an option to make the transfer permanent,” read a statement on the Bologna website.
“The first Ukrainian in the history of the club, Artem is a modern striker, capable of combining physical strength, power and quality in attacking solutions. Born in 1997, he completed his growth path in his homeland, establishing himself first with Dnipro-1 and then consecrating himself in Europe, where he distinguished himself for his sense of goal, ability to attack depth and presence in the penalty area.
“The performances offered in recent seasons consecrate him among the most interesting center forwards on the European scene: he dragged the surprising Girona in 2023-24 to Champions League qualification with 3rd place in La Liga, Artem scored in all ways and at the end of the year became the top scorer in the league with 24 goals.
SEVILLE, SPAIN – DECEMBER 21: Artem Dovbyk of Girona FC celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal from a penalty kick during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Betis and Girona FC at Estadio Benito Villamarin on December 21, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) “Bought by De Rossi’s Roma the following summer, he scored 17 goals in all competitions in his first Giallorossi season, not repeating similar numbers in 2025-26, held back by a long injury.
“The arrival in the Rossoblù represents an important stage in his career, after establishing himself as a point of reference in the offensive department thanks to continuity of performance, personality and a strong scoring ability.”
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What happened
Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk has completed a transfer from Roma to Bologna, confirmed by both clubs. The move includes a permanent purchase option, suggesting an initial loan structure with a buy option. Dovbyk joined Roma from Girona in 2024 but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, leading to the move. He will look to revive his career at Bologna under their current management, adding depth and competition to their attacking options.
Chance analysis
Dovbyk's move addresses a clear squad imbalance at Roma, where he fell out of favor despite a significant investment. For Bologna, this is a calculated gamble on a player who scored 24 La Liga goals in 2023-24 with Girona, indicating his quality is proven at a high level. The 'permanent option' structure protects Bologna financially while giving them upside if Dovbyk rediscovers his form. This affects both clubs' attacking depth and signals Roma's continued squad reshaping under their current sporting direction.
Roma lose squad depth at center-forward; Bologna gain a high-upside striker on flexible terms, potentially improving their goal-scoring threat.
Dovbyk's departure weakens Roma's center-forward depth but Bologna gain a proven goalscorer, modestly boosting their attacking threat for upcoming Serie A matches.