Official: Roma announce Balerdi signing from Marseille
Quick summary
Roma have officially completed the signing of Argentine centre-back Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique de Marseille.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma have officially announced their signing of Argentine centre-back Leonardo Balerdi on loan with an option to make the move permanent from Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille.
Official: Roma sign Balerdi from Marseille Balerdi has joined Roma on an initial season-long loan deal at a cost reported to be worth €1m, with an option to buy that is likely to become an obligation to buy for an additional €15m.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 25: Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique de Marseille reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Olympique de Marseille and Newcastle United FC at Stade de Marseille on November 25, 2025 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) The 27-year-old had his medicals with the Giallorossi on Saturday after arriving at Ciampino Airport in the late afternoon.
He becomes Roma’s fifth new first-team signing of the summer transfer window following the previous arrivals of Santiago Castro from Bologna, Rodrigo Mora from Porto, Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg and Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid.
Balerdi has spent the last six seasons of his career in France with Marseille, where he has made exactly 200 appearances across all competitions including 153 in Ligue 1. He also has experiences with Borussia Dortmund and Boca Juniors on his CV and has been capped 11 times by Argentina at senior level.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – NOVEMBER 19: Leonardo Balerdi of Argentina controls the ball during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Peru at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 19, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) He will wear the no.26 shirt during his first season at the Stadio Olimpico.
Source attribution: this article content is based on the linked publisher feed/source. Chance adds independent soccer context, impact analysis, entity links, and related news.
What happened
AS Roma have confirmed the permanent signing of Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique de Marseille. The Argentine defender arrives at the Stadio Olimpico to bolster Gian Piero Gasperini's defensive options ahead of the new Serie A season. Balerdi, a product of Boca Juniors, has been a regular starter at Marseille and brings top-level experience from Ligue 1. The deal represents a significant statement of intent from Roma as they look to compete at the upper end of Serie A.
Chance analysis
Roma have landed one of Ligue 1's most consistent centre-backs in Balerdi, addressing a defensive area that has needed reinforcement. The Argentine's arrival gives Gasperini a left-footed, ball-playing defender comfortable in a high line, fitting the tactical profile the coach demands. For Marseille, the sale represents the departure of a key pillar of their back line, creating a defensive vacancy that will need addressing before their own campaign begins.
Roma gain a starting-caliber centre-back strengthening their defense, while Marseille lose a key defensive starter.