'Why Boca signed De Rossi...'

By Football Italia staff

Boca Juniors say they signed Daniele De Rossi for his ‘stature, quality, what he represents’ and because ‘he’ll be a success’.

De Rossi arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday to complete his free transfer to Boca, and President Daniel Angelici believes his entire club have been revitalised by the arrival of the former Roma midfielder.

“We signed De Rossi for two reasons: firstly because he’s always spoken well about Boca and because Nicolas Burdisso, his former teammate and our sporting director, told me about him,” Angelici told Radio Radio.

“We also signed him for his stature, quality and what he represents. Our club were founded by young Italians from Genoa.

“The two styles of football are totally different, especially in terms of pace. For Daniele, it’ll be an important challenge for him as a player in a different country, like how migrants used to go to an unknown land.

“Stature sometimes exceeds youth. I think he’ll be a success with us. I’m certain that when De Rossi sees what goes down at La Bombonera, he’ll realise that this the place for football.

“I think our other midfielders and young players will improve a lot with De Rossi around. He’ll be a player who excites our young players: he’ll be a role model for them.”

The patron was then asked about Roma’s pursuit of Agustin Almendra.

“It depends on the money that Roma put up. I heard that their sporting director talked to Burdisso for Almendra, but an official offer never came.”

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