Lazio have officially signed Spanish left-back Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal, the club confirmed on Sunday. Pedraza was presented to the media at the Lazio Training Center in Formello, outlining his excitement at joining the Serie A side.
The 27-year-old arrives in Rome seeking a fresh start and expressed his desire to contribute to Lazio’s ambitions. Pedraza stated that the interest from Lazio was decisive in his decision, adding that he wanted to experience football in a new country and felt the club showed strong faith in his abilities. He also highlighted the positive experiences shared with fellow Spaniards Reina and Dia, who spoke highly of the club.
Pedraza spent the last two seasons at Villarreal, making 64 appearances across all competitions. While a consistent performer for the Yellow Submarines, he wasn’t always a guaranteed starter, often rotating with other left-sided options. He previously played for Alaves and Lugo, developing his game in the Spanish second tier before establishing himself in La Liga.
Lazio are bolstering their squad under new manager Maurizio Sarri, who previously coached in Spain with Sevilla. Pedraza mentioned Sarri’s familiarity with his playing style as a contributing factor to his choice, and believes he can integrate his knowledge of the game into the Italian league. The arrival of Pedraza provides competition for the left-back position, adding depth to Sarri’s defensive options. Lazio will be aiming for a European qualification spot this season, and Pedraza hopes to play a key role in achieving that goal. The club is currently dealing with some fan unrest directed towards club president Claudio Lotito, but Pedraza expressed a desire to focus on performing on the pitch and improving the relationship with supporters through positive results.
