AS Roma Secure Rising Argentine Star Santiago Castro to Lead New-Look Attack

AS Roma have completed the signing of Argentine striker Santiago Castro from Bologna in a deal worth €35 million, excluding bonuses. The 21-year-old becomes the club's first arrival of the summer transfer window and has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until 2031, where he will wear the iconic No. 9 shirt.

Roma see Castro as a key addition to the attacking unit under new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The young forward is expected to compete with Donyell Malen for a starting role as the club looks to strengthen its frontline ahead of the upcoming Serie A campaign.

As part of the agreement, Bologna retained a 10 percent sell-on clause, while Artem Dovbyk is expected to move in the opposite direction on a loan deal that includes an option to buy for around €17 million. The arrangement allows both clubs to reshape their attacking options before the new season begins.

Castro arrives in Rome after two impressive seasons with Bologna, where he consistently developed into one of the league's most promising young forwards. He produced eight goals and five assists during the 2024–25 Serie A season before following that with seven goals and three assists in 35 league appearances the following year.

Roma believe Castro has the quality and potential to become the club's long-term leading striker. After scoring 22 goals in 105 appearances for Bologna following the start of his professional career with Vélez Sarsfield, the Argentine now faces the challenge of leading the attack for one of Italy's biggest clubs and meeting high expectations from the start of his new chapter.