England international striker Tammy Abraham has joined Serie A side, Roma, from European Champions Chelsea on a five-year deal for £34m.
The 23-year-old was the Blues’ joint-top scorer with 12 across all competitions last term but found first-team chances limited following Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in January.
UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea re-signed Belgian international Romelu Lukaku for £97.5m – a club-record fee from SerieA Champions Inter Milan.
The Blues have inserted a £68m buyback clause on their academy graduate, which can be activated in 2023, while Tammy Abraham will wear the No 9 shirt at the Italian Capital club.
Abraham disclosed via online trading platforms, “You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately,”
“Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I’ve had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
“It’s a massive honor to be the No. 9 at this club and I just can’t wait to get started and to help the team.”
Tammy Abraham, was an unused substitute in the Blues’ Super Cup victory against Europa League winners Villarreal last week and Premier League win over Crystal Palace. He underwent a medical test in Rome on Sunday.
Roma, coached by ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, open their league campaign against Fiorentina on August 22 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Arsenal and Atalanta also expressed an interest in the forward, but the Blues’ preference was always to offload him to a team abroad.
AS Roma’s general manager, Tiago Pinto said: “Despite still being very young, with a huge amount of potential to keep improving, Tammy has already played more than 200 games in his career and scored over 100 goals – and won a number of major trophies too.
“Choosing to leave the Premier League, and the club he grew up at, demonstrates very clearly just how much he believes in this opportunity to develop his own game and show what he can do at Roma.
“Bringing in players that have such a hunger and desire to play for our club is hugely important in helping to build the identity and sense of belonging that is a fundamental part of our overall vision for this team.”
Tammy joined Blues’ academy at 7 years, and director Marina Granovskaia said Tammy’s contributions will “never be forgotten”.
Granovskaia said, “Tammy will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as one of our own”.
“We have all enjoyed watching his progress through our Academy and into the first-team squad, and are grateful for his contribution to our successes at senior and youth level.
“His many goals in a Chelsea shirt and, of course, his part in our Champions League triumph last season will never be forgotten. I’m sure all Chelsea supporters will join me in wishing Tammy a long and successful career.”