Roma announces signing of Antonio Rudiger on season-long loan from Stuttgart

One of the most promising talents in German football is heading to the Stadio Olimpico.

AS Roma announced Thursday that defender Antonio Rudiger has joined the club on a season-long loan from VfB Stuttgart for a fee of €4 million in a deal that also includes the option to make the transfer permanent from the 2016-17 season for a fee of €9 million.

(Courtesy: Roma)

Rudiger, 22, made his Bundesliga debut in January 2012 against Borussia Monchengladbach, and he subsequently established himself as a staple of Stuttgart's first-team squad. He has also made six appearances for Germany's national team, having made his international debut in May 2014.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be able to wear the Roma jersey," Rudiger told Roma TV. "I've come here to win titles, to win the Scudetto. I would like to thank all the Roma fans and promise them that I will give everything for this club."

Of course, no move to Roma is complete without a pat on the chest from Francesco Totti.

The season-long loan means that Rudiger is the sixth German player to join Roma following Jurgen Schutz, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, Thomas Berthold, Rudi Voller, and Thomas Hassler.