Leon Bailey has completed a season-long loan move from Aston Villa to Serie A side AS Roma. The deal, which runs through the 2025-26 campaign, includes an option to buy.
The Jamaican winger, 28, joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 for £25m and scored 22 goals in 144 appearances. He enjoyed his best spell in 2023-24 with 14 goals across 52 games but managed just two goals in 38 appearances last season.
Despite signing a new Villa contract in February 2024 that runs until 2027, Bailey now heads to Italy. Roma will reportedly pay €2m (£1.7m) for the loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent for €23m (£19.8m).
“AS Roma are delighted to announce the signing of Leon Bailey from Aston Villa. The winger joins the club on loan with an option to buy,” the Italian club said in a statement. “Bailey is the first Jamaican footballer in AS Roma history.”
Bailey has played for Genk, Bayer Leverkusen, and Villa, amassing 377 professional appearances and 76 goals across his career. He will wear the number 31 shirt at Roma.
Bailey is Roma’s second Premier League signing of the summer, following Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
