Turkey names World Cup squad with six Roma players; Çelik included

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma on a permanent transfer from Wolfsburg. The 2003-born defender arrived at Ciampino on 1 August, completed medical examinations and signed his contract to become an official Roma player. He has chosen the number 33 shirt. Koulierakis arrives with senior experience across two prominent European clubs. He previously played for PAOK before his spell in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. The Greece international made his senior debut aged 18 and has earned 22 caps for his national team to date. The deal concludes Roma's acquisition of the defender on permanent terms.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma from Wolfsburg on a permanent transfer. The Greek defender, born in 2003, arrived at Ciampino and the club confirmed the acquisition on 1 August 2026. He is available immediately for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the 2026–27 season and has selected shirt number 33. Koulierakis brings experience from PAOK and Wolfsburg to Roma's defence. He made his Greece senior debut at 18 and has earned 22 caps for the national team. The signing bolsters Gasperini's squad depth in defence as the club prepares for the new campaign. AS Roma's official statement read: "The AS Roma is pleased to announce the arrival of Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg. The operation is concluded with a permanent acquisition. The defender, class of 2003, has worn the shirts of PAOK and Wolfsburg; he made his debut at 18 in the Greek national team, with which he has recorded 22 appearances so far."

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his move to Roma from Wolfsburg. The Greek defender arrived at Ciampino airport around midday on 1 August, was greeted by supporters, and underwent medical tests before the club confirmed the signing in the evening. Roma have acquired him on a permanent basis for 18 million euros plus a percentage on resale. Koulierakis, born in 2003, previously played for PAOK and Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. He made his Greece debut at 18 and has earned 22 senior international caps. He will wear number 33 at Roma. The club released a statement: "Welcome to Roma, Konstantinos!" The defender will not remain in the capital immediately. On the morning of 2 August, Koulierakis will travel to Wales to rejoin the squad for their training camp.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a crucial transfer meeting with Roma sporting director D'Amico and owner Ryan Friedkin today before the team's departure for Wales. The summit will focus on finalising the club's market strategy for the remainder of the season as Gasperini, the club's new head coach, continues to push for reinforcements to mount a Champions League challenge. Left-wing remains Roma's priority, with RB Leipzig's Nusa staying at the top of the target list. Gasperini will have the opportunity to reiterate this directly to the board. The departures of Angeliño and Çelik have left gaps in the full-back department that require urgent attention. Read is being considered as a hot prospect to address those needs, with Roma having already tabled an offer to Feyenoord. The Dutch club's approval is now required for any deal to progress. Gasperini has already secured initial signings including Castro and Koulierakis, but the technical staff believes further investment is essential for a competitive campaign. All parties are emphasising the need to row in the same direction as Roma builds its new project under the new coaching regime.

Roma have tabled a €25 million bid to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, hoping to conclude negotiations in the coming days. The offer represents a significant step up from Zeki Çelik's position at the club. Feyenoord remain reluctant to sell, preferring to keep the 20-year-old for another season before potentially commanding a higher fee. Nottingham Forest have also entered the race, offering €19 million plus €2 million in bonuses, a move Roma were aware of before raising their bid. Read has already agreed personal terms with Forest on a five-year contract worth €20 million plus bonuses, which prompted him to push for a departure from the Eredivisie club. Should Roma succeed in persuading Feyenoord to sell, they will need to offer Read a substantial salary of approximately €4 million per year to compete with the English offer. Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is attempting to convince the player to stay, and is considering offering him the captain's armband despite his youth. Read arrived at Feyenoord on a free transfer from Volendam in 2023. Roma's pursuit underscores their determination to strengthen the right-back position, with the club prepared to commit significant resources both in transfer fee and wages to secure the Netherlands-based prospect.

Roma confirmed the arrival of Greek defender Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for €15 million, with medical tests scheduled today. The transfer marks the second major signing following the announcement of Argentine forward Castro, who gave his first interview to the club. Castro said: "I couldn't wait to be here, Gasp is ideal for me. I'm a player who needs to improve everything, I need to score more goals even though the team comes first for me." He also warned Lazio: "I've already scored two goals against them, and I want to keep doing that." Director D'Amico is already focused on further reinforcements. Roma have submitted a €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, identified as the primary target to replace Çelik on the right flank. The 2006-born fullback has agreed personal terms, but the Dutch club must still be persuaded. Sporting Lisbona's Fresneda stands as an alternative. On the left wing, Nusa from Leipzig has re-entered Roma's thinking after interest in Ezzalzouli cooled. The club has renewed contact with Leipzig and is prepared to increase their offer, though not to the €60 million the German side demands. Eintracht Frankfurt's Bahoya and an unnamed target also remain under consideration.

Roma collapsed in their first friendly match in Wales, losing 4–1 to Cardiff. Ashford scored twice for the hosts, with goals also coming from Salech and Tanner. Paulo Dybala was Roma's sole bright spot, missing a penalty but pulling one back to make it 3–1, though the goal proved only a consolation. The defence struggled throughout, with Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Devyne Rensch among the poorest performers, while debutant Castro misfired in attack. The squad trained this morning and appeared fatigued, carrying heavy workloads on their legs—a normal state at this stage of pre-season preparation. Young player Bah suffered a knee injury during the match, sustaining a right knee distortion; instrumental examinations will determine the full extent of the problem. Roma's next friendly comes on Tuesday against Newport at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italian time). The squad will train in the afternoon on Tuesday, with gym work scheduled for the morning.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Championship side Cardiff City at Cardiff City Stadium on the opening day of their pre-season training camp in Wales. The match exposed significant defensive vulnerabilities in the first half, with Wesley and Rensch at fault for several errors. Cardiff scored three goals in the opening period through two strikes by Ashford and one from Salech, while Paulo Dybala missed a penalty. Roma's night was further complicated by an injury to Bah. Gasperini's side showed improvement after the interval. Dybala converted an assist from Matías Soulé to pull one back, but Cardiff's Tanner restored the two-goal cushion shortly after. Jan Ziółkowski struck the woodwork late on but could not find the back of the net. The result highlighted areas requiring immediate work as Roma prepare for the 2026–27 season.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City in a friendly on 1 August, with Paulo Dybala scoring but also missing a penalty in an otherwise bright performance. The Argentine playmaker created a memorable chance early in the second half, setting up Wesley before converting a tap-in to reduce the deficit. His striking effort from the spot, however, was described as poor. Dybala's physical condition drew praise despite the heavy loss. Roma's defence struggled throughout, particularly in the opening period. Mile Svilar conceded four goals and was caught out by careless errors from his backline, notably a slow pass from Wesley that led to Cardiff's second goal. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso had difficult nights, while Evan N'Dicka made an early mistake that invited pressure. Bryan Cristante showed glimpses of quality in midfield, while Matías Soulé and Castro offered encouraging signs despite the scoreline. The friendly served as Roma's first pre-season fixture in Wales. Donyell Malen and Lolli were introduced in the second half and showed improved energy compared to the first-team starters. Roma's next fixture is scheduled for 4 August against Newport.

Roma suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City in a friendly on 1 August, with Paulo Dybala scoring but also missing a penalty in an otherwise bright performance. The Argentine playmaker created a memorable chance early in the second half, setting up Wesley before converting a tap-in to reduce the deficit. His striking effort from the spot, however, was described as poor. Dybala's physical condition drew praise despite the heavy loss. Roma's defence struggled throughout, particularly in the opening period. Mile Svilar conceded four goals and was caught out by careless errors from his backline, notably a slow pass from Wesley that led to Cardiff's second goal. Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso had difficult nights, while Evan N'Dicka made an early mistake that invited pressure. Bryan Cristante showed glimpses of quality in midfield, while Matías Soulé and Castro offered encouraging signs despite the scoreline. The friendly served as Roma's first pre-season fixture in Wales. Donyell Malen and Lolli were introduced in the second half and showed improved energy compared to the first-team starters. Roma's next fixture is scheduled for 4 August against Newport.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

AS Roma completed the signing of defender Konstantinos Koulierakis on 1 August 2026, with the Greek international arriving at Ciampino airport to begin his medical and contract formalities. Koulierakis joins on a permanent deal from Wolfsburg for a fixed fee of €16.5 million, with €1.5 million in add-ons and a 20 per cent sell-on clause included in the agreement. He becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The 23-year-old represents a significant defensive reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season. Koulierakis, who has featured regularly in the Bundesliga, brings experience at a high level and adds depth to Roma's backline alongside existing defenders including Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, and Gianluca Mancini. The transfer was confirmed across social media on 1 August, with images and video of Koulierakis and his agent Paschalis Tountouris captured during their journey to the Italian capital. The defender will now complete standard club procedures before being integrated into pre-season training.