Barcelona's Vermaelen joins Roma on season-long loan

Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen completed his move to Roma on a season-long loan Monday - a switch that could become permanent if the Italian club agrees to buy the player at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

The 30-year-old will enjoy significant playing time at the capital club after a rough two-season spell at Barcelona. Debilitating thigh and calf injuries forced Vermaelen to spend the majority of his Camp Nou tenure on the sidelines, even as Barcelona won the treble during the 2014-15 term.

But he completed his Roma medical without any problems.

After starting for Belgium at Euro 2016, Vermaelen will look to continue his return to action now that he's in Italy. The Blaugrana paid €19 million to acquire the Belgium international from Arsenal in 2014 - a figure they likely won't recoup - but nonetheless he's been given a fresh start.

He's the eighth Barcelona player to leave this summer in a clearing-out process at the Catalan club.

With centre-back Antonio Rudiger and left-back Mario Rui expected to miss the first half of the season, Vermaelen is expected to line up beside Kostas Manolas in defence.

Vermaelen follows fellow defensive recruitment Federico Fazio through the Stadio Olimpico doors, as the Giallorossi reinforce their ranks ahead of a tough Serie A fight. Juventus is the clear front-runner, having poached Roma's crown jewel, Miralem Pjanic, earlier in the transfer window.