Romelu Lukaku has been signed on a season-long loan by Roma, Chelsea has confirmed

 

Romelu Lukaku has officially signed a season-long loan agreement with Roma, Premier League club Chelsea has announced.

The Belgian finally leaves purgatory at Stamford Bridge when he joins former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in the Italian city.

Four months after signing a contract with Chelsea for £97.5 million in 2021, Lukaku stirred some controversy by revealing in public that he wanted to return to Inter Milan.

Last season, the striker returned to Inter Milan on loan, and since coming back to Stamford Bridge this summer, he has been looking for a way out.

On Sunday, Chelsea and Roma continued their negotiations in an effort to reach an agreement on a £7 million loan fee for Lukaku, but finally agreed to a £5 million fee to ensure his exit.

Lukaku was requested to forego £7 million of his £17 million yearly wage.

Confirming his exit on Thursday, Chelsea released a blunt statement which read: 'Romelu Lukaku has completed a season-long loan move to Serie A club A.S. Roma.

'The Belgium international, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2021, spent the previous campaign on loan at Inter Milan.'

'Lukaku will link up in the Italian capital with former Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho, who guided Roma to the Europa League final last season.'

The 30-year-old  worked under Mourinho during his time at Old Trafford, where he scored 42 goals in 96 appearances.