After four years, former Bundesliga pro Leon Bailey is leaving the English Premier League and moving to Italy’s Serie A. Rome will be the Jamaican’s new home.
It had been rumored for some time that Leon Bailey was on AS Roma’s wish list. The former Leverkusen player was not in the squad for Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United (0-0) on Saturday due to his imminent transfer.
The Jamaican (39 international caps, 7 goals) had already failed to get the playing time he wanted at Villa last season. He made 24 league appearances (one goal) and eight Champions League appearances (one goal). Bailey was no longer a regular starter and was therefore looking for a new employer. Clubs from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, such as Besiktas Istanbul, are said to have been interested in the striker. However, Roma won the race.
From Germany to England to Italy
The Giallorossi are bringing the lightning-fast striker to the Eternal City. Bailey is initially moving on loan from Aston Villa, but Roma has an option to buy. According to Italian media reports, Roma is loaning the player for a sum between two and three million euros until the end of the season and can then sign him permanently for 22 million.
Bailey made his international breakthrough in Belgium with KRC Genk, from where he moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He caused a sensation at Leverkusen, scoring 39 goals in 156 games in five years before moving to Birmingham in the summer of 2021, where he quickly established himself as a regular. After 21 goals and 131 games for the British club, he is now embarking on his Italian adventure.
