Zeki Celik makes transfer to Roma from Lille

Lille's right-back Mehmet Zeki Celik has agreed a transfer to join Serie A side AS Roma, with the Turkish international set for a dream transfer to Serie A in a deal worth a reported 18 million euros. The former Istanbulspor and Bursaspor player has 32 caps for Turkey to his name.

Signing Celik is a huge coup for Roma manager Jose Mourinho, having fended off interest from Serie A rivals Bologna, Genoa and Inter Milan to secure the signature of the 25-year-old defender. Celik has been an almost ever present at Lille since arriving in France from Istanbulspor in 2018, and the player's contract had been due to expire next summer, thus forcing the French club to sell the 6 foot 1 full-back.

Signing Celik means that Mourinho has signed three players already this summer, having brought in Nemanja Matic and Svilar to the club, whilst Roma are still pursuing Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Celik is comfortable playing in right midfield and this signing is a massive boost for Roma having been looking for a player to fill this position for nearly 12 months.