Roma’s Argentinian cohort were key in convincing Matias Soule to join from Juventus, the 21-year-old admitted in his first interview with the club.
Soule officially completed his permanent transfer from Juventus to Roma on Tuesday afternoon.
Argentina internationals Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes played a key role in convincing Soule to move to the Stadio Olimpico, as did coach Daniele De Rossi, who speaks ‘Argentine Spanish’ after spending the final year of his career in the country, playing for Boca Juniors.
What Soule said about Roma’s Argentina cohort
Dybala, in particular, was constantly trying to convince his international colleague to join him in the capital.
“I have spoken to them (Dybala and Paredes),” Soule said in his first Roma interview.
“As soon as the rumours about me coming here started, they told me about what it’s like here and how happy they are. I also asked them about it all. Every day, I spoke more and more about it with Paulo: ‘When are you coming? Come on, I’m waiting for you, there’s a free space for you’.”
He was also full of praise for De Rossi, who he said ‘understands everything’. He was also impressed by DDR’s training methods after his first day at Trigoria.
“I assessed everything before coming here. In terms of the coach, I saw how the team played last year, and how it’s changed since he came in.
“He’s really incredible. As for being here and training with him, he’s also spent time in Argentina and understands everything. He speaks Argentine Spanish, so that will be really helpful.”
Soule has also decided to wear the no.18 shirt for Roma, which was once donned by the legendary Gabriel Batistuta during his time at the Stadio Olimpico.
Click here to read more from Soule’s first interview as a Roma player.