Official: Roma Sign Santiago Castro from Bologna in €35m Deal

Roma have officially announced the arrival of Argentine centre-forward Santiago Castro from Bologna, completing a €35m deal plus performance-related bonuses. The 22-year-old becomes the Giallorossi’s first signing of the summer transfer window and has signed a five-year contract that runs until the summer of 2031.

Official announcement

“AS Roma is pleased to announce the arrival of Santiago Tomàs Castro from Bologna FC. The transaction ends with the definitive transfer,” read a statement on the club website. “The forward, born in 2004, has worn the shirts of Bologna and Vélez Sarsfield. With the Rossoblù he played 105 games and scored 22 goals. He chose the jersey number 9. Welcome to Rome, Santiago!”

Castro made the move to Italy from Vélez Sarsfield in 2023 and spent two full seasons at Bologna, establishing himself as a regular starter. The Argentine international will now compete for the No.9 shirt in Rome, a number he has chosen for his first campaign in the capital.

Transfer details and Dovbyk swap

The total package includes €35m guaranteed plus add-ons, with Bologna retaining a 10% sell-on clause on any future sale. In a parallel move, Roma striker Artem Dovbyk is expected to head in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal with an option to buy for a fee in the region of €17m. The Ukrainian forward, who joined Roma only last summer, has struggled to replicate his Girona form and appears surplus to coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans.

Stats and role at Roma

Castro provided eight goals and five assists from 36 appearances during his first full Serie A season in 2024-25, then added seven goals and three assists from 35 league outings in 2025-26. He is expected to compete with Donyell Malen for the starting centre-forward spot under Gasperini, who has favoured a fluid front line in a 3-4-2-1 system. Castro’s ability to hold up play, link with midfielders and finish inside the box fits the profile Gasperini often demands.

What it means for Roma’s attack

The signing signals a clear intent to refresh Roma’s forward line after a season that fell short of Champions League expectations. With Dovbyk likely to leave, Castro and Malen give Gasperini two different profiles – Malen offers pace and dribbling, while Castro provides physical presence and aerial threat. Roma fans will also note the club’s willingness to move quickly in the transfer market, securing a player who has shown consistent growth in Serie A.

Broader context

Castro’s arrival also highlights the growing trend of Italian clubs investing in young South American talent. Bologna, who developed Castro and sold him at a significant profit, continue to generate substantial returns from their recruitment model. For Roma, the deal represents a calculated bet on a player who has already proven he can score in Italy’s top flight.

Source: Football Italia – https://football-italia.net/official-roma-sign-castro-from-bologna/