Lukaku on How Roma Fans Welcomed Him: “You Live for Those Emotions”

Lukaku on How Roma Fans Welcomed Him: “You Live for Those Emotions”

Elijah Odetokun
updated at September 12, 2023 at 11:24 AM
In this article:
Romelu Lukaku logo
R. Lukaku
Chelsea logoFBelgium logo
Italian Serie A logo
ITA Serie A
Italy
  • Romelu Lukaku joined AS Roma on a season-long loan from Chelsea this summer
  • It was his second move away from the Blues since rejoining for £97.5mil in 2021
  • The Belgian was given a warm reception at the airport by fans of the capital club

Romelu Lukaku is yet to get familiar with his new environment but already had his heart won by AS Roma fans over how they warmly welcomed him to the club on his arrival.

The Belgian left Chelsea on loan for the second straight season after he and the club decided it was best to part ways, having spent the previous season on loan at Inter Milan.

Both parties desired a permanent move but after deals involving both Inter and Juventus fell through, the idea of reuniting with Jose Mourinho fascinated Lukaku.

Romelu Lukaku, AS Roma, AC Milan, Stadio Olimpico.
Romelu Lukaku applauds AS Roma fans during his unveiling at the Stadio Olimpico. Photo by Guiseppe Maffia.
Source: Getty Images

As reported by The Guardian, the Italian club will pay an £8 million loan fee to his parent club, while the player also reduced his annual wages by almost £10mil to ensure the move goes through.

Lukaku speaks on Roma fans' reception

The former Manchester United striker was flown in from London by a private jet by club owner, Daniel Friedkin. The plane was tracked by a record 47,00 fans and the striker was received by over 5,000 fans at the Ciampino Airport.

Speaking to AS Roma TV, the 30-year-old expressed delight at the love the fans in Rome had showed him and how it helped the players give their all for the badge.

"You know what’s beautiful? That Roma fans support the players a lot if they play well. This, for a person like me and for the rest of the team, is good for all of us," he said.
"When I landed and saw all those people waiting for me, I could only think positive thoughts. That’s what you want to experience when you play football. You live for those emotions."

Lukaku was unveiled at the Stadio Olimpico ahead of his debut in the 2-1 loss to AC Milan and played 19 minutes.

He is expected to start as Mourinho's side hope for their first Serie A win of the season against Empoli after the international break.

Mourinho's old comments on Lukaku

Sports Brief previously reported on Mourinho's old comments on Lukaku after it emerged the Belgian striker had accepted the Italian capital as his next destination.

The Special One briefly managed the striker at Chelsea and then at Man United, stating that despite becoming a man, within the Belgian was also a kid needing love.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.