Koulierakis confirmed as Roma signing; defender chooses number 33

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma's pre-season retreat in Wales following his medical examination and official confirmation. The Greek defender was greeted by supporters outside the resort and posed for photographs, including a notable image with Juha Ahtinen, the well-known Finnish Roma supporter who travels to follow the club worldwide. Koulierakis featured in one of his first pictures wearing the scarf of the Roma Club Finland. Koulierakis will complete Roma's defensive lineup alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Jan Ziółkowski, and Daniele Ghilardi. The 24-year-old will now begin working under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season.

Koulierakis joined Roma's squad in Wales on 2 August, arriving at Vale Resort in Hensol after completing his medical and signing yesterday. The Greek centre-back posed for photographs with Roma supporters at the training ground before linking up with Gasperini and the squad for his first team session. He arrived on a permanent deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in bonuses, with Wolfsburg retaining a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Koulierakis joins an established defensive unit comprising Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Ziółkowski and Ghilardi, though the last-named could depart the capital. This morning Dybala and the wider group completed a gym session, with a video review and field training scheduled for the afternoon. Gasperini welcomes Koulierakis as Roma's second new acquisition of the summer, following Castro, who made his debut in yesterday's 0–0 draw with Cardiff. The defender will bolster Roma's backline as pre-season preparations continue in Wales.

Rafael Leao has turned down Fenerbahce's substantial offer, according to reports, with the Portuguese winger unconvinced by the Turkish club's proposal despite taking time to consider it. Leao requested a delay on his decision, signalling reluctance over the move as his future remains unresolved. AS Roma are monitoring the situation closely but have not yet made contact with either Milan or the player himself. A potential move to the Giallorossi could materialise in late August, though circumstances at Milan have shifted in Leao's favour. A positive rapport with coach Amorim during the club's early days in Australia for their pre-season retreat has raised the prospect of the 23-year-old remaining at the San Siro, a scenario that was previously less certain. With no formal approach from Rome and Leao's disposition towards staying in Milan now improved, the window of opportunity for other suitors appears to be narrowing. Any Roma move would likely depend on Milan's willingness to sell and a change in Leao's thinking in the weeks ahead.