Another Man Utd legend moves to Saudi Arabia - Romano

Muhammad Butt
  • Updated: 1 Sept 2024 16:44 BST
  • 3 min read
Chris Smalling Roma Al Fayha
© IMAGO

Manchester United legend Chris Smalling has agreed to take his talents to the Saudi Pro League.

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Chris Smalling has received Fabrizio Romano's "here we go" as he agrees a deal to play for Al-Fahya in Saudi Arabia.

The former Man Utd centre-back will have a medical on Monday before flying out to play for his new club in the Saudi Pro League.

READ MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

Smalling: A Man Utd Legend?

Smalling, now 34, joined Man Utd from Fulham in 2010 at the age of 20. He was a solid squad player and played his part in Sir Alex Ferguson's final two Premier League title wins in 2010/11 and 2012/13.

He also started in the 2016 FA Cup final, 2017 Europa League final and captained United to the 2017 EFL Cup final - winning all three titles.

Smalling was also the victor in three different Community Shields, scoring in the 2012 edition. All told he played 323 times for Man Utd before leaving.

Smalling played for Jose Mourinho at Man Utd and Roma.
© IMAGO - Smalling played for Jose Mourinho at Man Utd and Roma.

In 2019/20 he joined Roma, initially on loan and then permanently. He played 155 times for the Giallorossi, wearing Aldair's no. 6 shirt with distinction.

In 2022 he helped his side win the Europa Conference League, then a year later he finished as runners-up to the Sevilla juggernaut in the 2023 Europa League.

Hermoso to replace Smalling?

Smalling's departure leaves a hole in the Roma defence, and that's a hole that Roma will fill with free agent Mario Hermoso.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

Spaniard Hermoso recently saw his contract with Atlético Madrid expire, and the centre-back has been on the look for a new club all summer.

Hermoso joined Atleti in 2019 and has played 174 times for them, including a starring role as Diego Simeone's men clinched the 2020/21 La Liga title.

Now Romano reports on X that Hermoso is arriving in Rome today with his agents, ready to sign a three year deal with the Giallorossi.

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