Official: Aleksandar Kolarov ends seven-year stay at Manchester City with £5.25m move to Roma

Aleksandar Kolarov has ended a seven-year stint at Manchester City by completing a £5.25million move to Serie A club Roma.

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The 31-year-old returns to Rome, where he previously played for Roma’s fierce rivals Lazio, following a spell in England that saw him win the Premier League twice, League Cup twice and the FA Cup.

The Serb made 244 appearances for Manchester City in all, scoring 21 goals and registering 31 assists from the left, while featuring under Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola, the latter of whom shifted him into a new central defensive role last season.

Kolarov had 12 months remaining on his City deal but indicated that he wanted a return to Italy – and this move is a controversial one, with fans of both sides already making their displeasure known.

The departure of Kolarov means that all four senior full-backs from last season – Gaël Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna the others – have now left, with Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo their replacements.

Kolarov told the official site: “When I came in 2010, honestly, I didn’t expect to play so lon.

“Today is the day I have to say goodbye. Everything was quick the last couple of days. For me, it’s a very sad day.

“In every part of the Club we have improved not 100 per cent but 200 per cent. Now we are a far better Club than what we were when I came. I am proud that I was part of making City the Club that it is.

“For me it was a great pleasure to play for this shirt.”

From everyone at City Watch, thank you and good luck Aleks!