Mario Rui thanks Empoli for his 'three best years' and looks forward to meeting Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti again.
The defender is very close to signing a deal with the Giallorossi, where he might replace Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Digne.
Mario Rui thanks Empoli for his 'three best years' and looks forward to meeting Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti again.
The defender is very close to signing a deal with the Giallorossi, where he might replace Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Digne.
“It's a beautiful opportunity, but let's wait until it becomes official,” Rui told Il Corriere dello Sport. “I knew Spalletti back at Empoli, he often came to observe our trainings when [Maurizio] Sarri was here. It's a dream, but I'm waiting to hear from my agent.
“At Empoli I lived three beautiful years. I worked with Sarri and with [Marco] Giampaolo, and both of them gave me the opportunity to develop and improve.
“I can't help but thank them for what they did for me. In different ways, I learned more with these two coaches than I did over the rest of my life. My seasons at Empoli have been the best of my career.”
Roma's campaign is due for a rough start as they will have to play the preliminary rounds to access the Champions League.
“I think they can make it. Roma showed great qualities in the season that just went by. They have a great club behind them that is used to big clashes. And the Coach can count on some great players.
“The Roma players I know best? [Leandro] Paredes and [Lukasz] Skorupski, who were my teammates at Empoli.
“I don't know the others personally, I only know them as opponents. But as a child I admired [Francesco] Totti and [Daniele] De Rossi, two great international champions.”