Tin Jedvaj has signed a new deal with AS Roma – just a few months after first arriving in the Italian capital instead of London.
Tottenham Hotspur were one of several teams heavily linked with the signature of Croatian sensation Tin Jedvaj this summer. The 17-year-old central defender had quickly established a reputation as one of the best young players on the continent with impressive displays at international youth level and for his club side Dinamo Zagreb.
But in the end he did as so many Croatian talents do and decided a switch to Italy was in his better interests. On July 10th it was confirmed that Roma had signed the player for a fee of £4.3 million – contrary to reports in English media earlier that week that a deal had been agreed for his move to North London.
Jedvaj even publicly acknowledged the strong interest from Spurs after signing for Roma:
“In the last weeks, there had been a strong interest from Tottenham, but Roma did a strong negotiation and now I’m happy to be in this group. My hope is to win titles, to repay the faith the club showed me and to show myself at the best of my potential to help Roma get a European place.’’
And in pre-season it certainly seemed that Spurs had missed out on a real gem. Jedvaj starred for the Giallorossi in many pre-season games, belying his tender age of just 17 – and everyone was excited about seeing him play for the first-team in Serie A.
And now the Croatian, who has yet to play a competitive game for the Italian high-flyers, has signed yet another deal – again with Roma.
He turned 18 yesterday and signed a renewal to his deal – just a few months after arriving in the capital.
He will now stay at the club until 2018 – ending any lingering hopes of a potential move for the player.
Jedvaj seems a real talent, and has been on the bench for most of the season despite his age.
And with this deal signed he is set for a long and prosperous career at the Stadio Olimpico – not White Hart Lane.
image: © thearcticblues
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