€5m clause drives Roma's loan of 20‑year‑old Romano to Cagliari

Roma have sent 20‑year‑old midfielder Alessandro Romano to Cagliari on a season‑long loan that includes a €5 million obligation to buy, rising to €6.5 million with add‑ons if conditions are met. The move follows a six‑month spell at Serie B side Spezia this summer.

The agreement sets a €5 million fee with an additional €1.5 million in performance‑related add‑ons, converting the loan into a mandatory purchase if stipulated criteria are satisfied. Romano has signed a contract with Cagliari that runs until June 2032.

A product of the Winterthur youth academy in Switzerland, Romano joined Roma in the summer of 2022 and progressed through every Giallorossi youth level from Under‑17 onward. He made two brief Serie A substitute appearances for the senior side in January 2026.

Before the Cagliari move, the midfielder spent six months on loan at Spezia, competing in Italy’s Serie B. The spell provided him with regular senior football ahead of his next challenge.

Romano is left‑footed and capable of operating in multiple midfield roles. His adaptability is expected to aid Cagliari’s tactical options this season.

Although he holds an Italian passport, Romano represents Switzerland at international level. The dual nationality adds a layer of flexibility for both club and country.

Leonardo Di Tommaso of SS Lazio faced Romano during the Primavera 1 Final Four match between SS Lazio U19 and AS Roma U19 on 28 May 2024 in Bagno a Ripoli, Italy. The image, captured by photographer Marco Rosi, highlighted the youngster’s early promise.

The loan‑with‑obligation structure mirrors a growing trend among Italian clubs to secure promising talent while mitigating immediate financial risk. Such deals illustrate how Serie A teams balance development pathways with fiscal prudence in a competitive transfer market.