Cardiff friendly will be broadcast free-to-air as Roma prepare UK tour

AS Roma has announced the appointment of John Galantic as Chief Executive Officer. The club confirmed the nomination through an official statement published on its website this morning. Galantic brings extensive experience leading major global companies, most recently in Italy. He has served on the boards of AS Roma and Ferrari, giving him deep knowledge of both Italian sport and business. An American and Swiss citizen of Italian heritage, Galantic is a lifelong Roma supporter who understands the city and what the club means to its fans. The Friedkin Group statement emphasised that Galantic is the right person to lead Roma into its second century of history. His appointment comes at a significant moment: Roma have qualified for the Champions League after a season of effort both on and off the pitch, and the club launched its centenary celebrations on 22 July. The statement thanked supporters for their loyalty, describing them as "the best fans in football".

John Galantic has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of AS Roma, the club announced. The American-Swiss executive takes over the role following Lina Souloukou's departure in September 2024, which came after Daniele De Rossi's dismissal and Ivan Juric's arrival as head coach. Galantic is a lifelong Roma supporter and previously served as an independent board member during the Pallotta era before the Friedkin Group's takeover. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His career spans major multinational companies: he worked in European brand marketing at Procter & Gamble between 1990 and 1995, and held positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Coty, where he became president of Beauty operations in the United States and Latin America. At Chanel, where he joined in 2007, Galantic became president and Chief Operating Officer for the United States, overseeing strategic development and commercial activities. A decade later, he contributed to the development of the Global Digital Services platform and growth of chanel.com. In 2024 he was named CEO of the Tod's Group but left that position in spring 2025. Since April 2020, Galantic has served as a non-executive board member at Ferrari. His passion for Roma's yellow and red colours was inherited from his father, Ivan Galantic, who lived in Rome between 1939 and 1951.

Santiago Castro has chosen to wear the number 9 shirt at Roma, a symbolic decision that reflects the Argentine striker's ambition and willingness to shoulder the responsibility of a jersey historically reserved for the club's greatest centre-forwards. The 2004-born forward will have his nameplate read "S. CASTRO" on the back of his shirt, completing the personalisation details ahead of the official announcement of his transfer. Castro's selection of the number 9 underlines his character and leadership qualities as he prepares for his new chapter at the Stadio Olimpico under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The choice carries significant weight in Roma's history, as the shirt has been donned by many of the club's most celebrated strikers. With both the number and nameplate confirmed, Roma's official store is ready to begin custom shirt orders for supporters. The transfer details remain to be formally confirmed by the club, though the personalisation choices suggest the deal is progressing toward completion.