Roma signs Rodrigo Mora from Porto for 25 million euros

Five hundred people showed up at Rome's airport just to watch a 19-year-old kid step off a plane. That happened on Tuesday, and the man himself, Rodrigo Mora, looked close to tears as he signed autographs and posed for photos surrounded by fans chanting his name. The next day brought what that reception had already signaled: Roma announced the permanent signing of the attacking midfielder from Porto.

The Italian club confirmed the move with a brief statement, without disclosing financial details, but Italian media are already reporting a five-year contract for the young Portuguese. The road to that agreement was anything but short: negotiations dragged on for weeks before both clubs found a formula that satisfied everyone.

Roma had initially proposed something different: paying 7 million euros for a loan with an option to buy set at 40 million euros at the end of the season. But Porto didn't want to risk having Mora return after a year with his market value down, so the club chose to close the deal a different way. Porto ultimately agreed to an immediate payment of 25 million euros, along with 50 percent of any future sale of the player, a cut that Roma can buy out if it pays an additional 20 million euros down the road. To lock the deal in further, the new contract also includes a release clause of 120 million euros.

An academy product with a future ahead

Mora just turned 19 in May, but he already has mileage behind him: he came through Porto's youth ranks and, with the first team, played 80 matches in which he scored 16 goals, more than solid numbers for someone his age playing as an attacking midfielder.

He has yet to debut for Portugal's senior national team, though he already knows what it feels like to win at that level: he was part of the squad that won the Nations League last year, an experience that surely factors into his development as a player even though he hasn't yet taken the field with the senior side.

Now he has to adjust to a different league, a different language, and a city that, judging by the airport reception, is already eager for him. Roma has bet big on a young player with plenty of room to grow, and time will tell whether that bet translates into minutes and goals in the giallorossi jersey.