Szczesny moves from Arsenal to Roma

File picture of Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny.Reuters/RomeArsenal’s Polish international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has joined Serie A side AS Roma on loan for the season, both clubs said yesterday. The 25-year-old helped the Premier League side win the FA Cup last season, one of just 29 appearances in all competitions in 2014-15. The Pole’s departure follows Arsenal’s signing of Czech international Petr Cech from champions Chelsea, with Szczesny already losing out last season to Colombian David Ospina in the pecking order. Roma said Szczesny, who has made 181 appearances for Arsenal since his senior debut in 2009 as a 19-year-old, had signed a one-year contract on Wednesday after successfully completing a medical in Rome. “I’ve come here to win games and trophies with AS Roma and I believe that the team is strong enough to do so,” the Pole, who joined Arsenal’s academy from Legia Warsaw in 2006, told Roma TV. “I think there’s great potential. I know the faces of the players and I know their names, so hopefully I will settle in very quickly.” Arsenal said the loan move was subject to the completion of regulatory processes. All the best to you Wojciech.

Bologna ready to take Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli back to Serie APromoted Bologna could offer Mario Balotelli the opportunity to rekindle his career in Serie A.The 24-year-old scored just one Premier League goal in his first season at Liverpool and the Italy international’s position has been weakened by the £32.5m arrival of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.Sampdoria have already expressed their interest in bringing Balotelli back to the league where he has represented both Internazionale and Milan, and now Bologna’s director of sport, Pantaleo Corvino, has hinted at a loan deal.“I would take him, he would be highly motivated here,” Corvino told the Corriere dello Sport. “Of course, Bologna have to respect certain financial parameters, but for the right price I would even look at the possibility of buying him outright.”Bologna, who are currently coached by Delio Rossi, have just returned from a season in Serie B. They finished fourth in the second division but beat Pescara to promotion by winning a two-legged play-off final in June.Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby joins MarseilleThe former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has joined Marseille, the Ligue 1 side have announced.The 29-year-old was released by Arsenal this summer, bringing an end to his injury-plagued stay in north London.His former manager at Auxerre, Guy Roux, believes Marseille, who finished fourth last season, may have secured a real bargain. “This could be the biggest coup for Marseille for a long time and it’s also a great gift to the French league,” he told L’Equipe.“Diaby is a fabulous player, well-disciplined and pleasant by nature. He has the kind of talent which has been sadly lacking from French football in recent times.”