Roma officially names Monchi new sporting director

Roma has confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in football, signing Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, simply known as Monchi, to be the club's new sporting director on a four-year contract.

The Spaniard - who left a similar role at Sevilla after a transformative 17-year spell in Andalusia - has an option to extend his deal by a further year.

"On behalf of myself and the entire AS Roma team, we welcome Monchi to our family and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship as we begin an exciting new era at the club," president James Palotta said in a statement. "I couldn't be happier with this appointment as Monchi is widely regarded as one of the best minds in world football."

After spending two decades as a goalkeeper for Sevilla, Monchi took a director's role in 2000. He developed a reputation for turning profits on burgeoning players like Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, and Ivan Rakitic.

In total, according to the Guardian's Sid Lowe, Monchi was able to raise more than €300 million for the club in player sales.

More impressively, no matter how many players left, Sevilla kept winning. Los Blanquirrojos won the Europa League three times in a row, the Copa del Rey twice, and both the Spanish and European Super Cups under Monchi's guidance.

The 48-year-old is now tasked with constructing a competitive team for Roma, which has played the bridesmaid to Juventus over the past few Serie A seasons.

Monchi's arrival is another statement of intent from the Giallorossi, who also have an agreement in place with the mayor of Rome to build a new stadium.