Donyell Malen has completed a permanent transfer to AS Roma from Villarreal, the club confirmed on Friday. The move follows a successful loan spell with the Italian side, where the 24-year-old forward made a significant impact. Malen has signed a contract with Roma that will run until June 30, 2030.
Malen arrived at Roma in January and quickly established himself as a key player under manager Daniele De Rossi, scoring 15 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. His contributions helped Roma secure third place in Serie A, qualifying them for the Champions League, and reach the quarter-finals of both the Europa League and Coppa Italia. The club exercised their option to buy the player following their successful campaign.
The Netherlands international previously played for PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal’s academy before moving to Villarreal. While at Villarreal, Malen demonstrated his goal-scoring ability, but struggled for consistent starting opportunities. His move to Roma provided the platform for him to showcase his talent and become a focal point in attack.
Roma also announced the contract extension of defender Mario Hermoso, who will now remain with the club until 2027. Hermoso made 35 appearances and scored four goals for Roma this season, becoming a reliable presence in the backline. These moves signal Roma’s intent to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for top honors in both domestic and European competitions. The successful securing of Malen’s future, in particular, provides a significant boost to their attacking options as they prepare for a Champions League campaign.
