This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has joined Italian club Roma on loan, the English team's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed on August 30, 2019.
Smalling, a 29-year-old England centre-back, had been with Manchester United since 2010 and had extended his contract until 2022 in December 2018.
"Chris is on his way over (to Italy). He's flying over to Rome this morning to do a medical and all the final details," Solskjaer said.
The move comes as Manchester United has six centre-backs on their roster, and Solskjaer saw it as an opportunity for Smalling to gain new experience in the Italian league.
"Chris fancied the chance to go over there; it's a new experience, new adventure," Solskjaer said.
Smalling becomes Manchester United's second player on loan in Italy, following Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez's move to Inter Milan on Thursday.
