Roma have confirmed the signing of Jamaican international Leon Bailey on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to buy included in the deal.
The 28-year-old becomes the first Jamaican footballer in Roma’s history and will wear the number 31 shirt for the 2025/2026 season.
Bailey arrives as the Giallorossi’s sixth signing of the transfer window, joining Daniele Ghilardi, Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Neil El Aynaoui, Devis Vasquez, and Wesley.
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His arrival could also play a role in ongoing talks with Jadon Sancho, a close friend of Bailey and current Manchester United player.
Bailey began his European career at Genk before rising to prominence with Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 39 goals and provided 25 assists in 156 appearances across all competitions. He joined Aston Villa in 2021 for a fee of around 25 million pounds.
During his time so far at Villa, Bailey has made a total of 144 appearances, scoring 22 goals. Despite signing a contract extension in February 2024 that runs until 2027, his form faltered last season as he managed just two goals and four assists in 38 appearances.
He was, however, a key figure in Aston Villa’s run to the Champions League quarterfinals last campaign, contributing a goal and an assist in the round-of-16 clash with Club Brugge.
Bailey’s move marks a new chapter in his career as he joins a Roma side that finished fifth in Serie A last season and is aiming to push further domestically and in Europe under their current project.