Roma buys Schick, Defrel outright as club reveals losses

Rome - AS Roma's half-year accounts announced on Thursday reveal the Serie A club reduced losses to €40.3 million helped by a boost to revenue from the Champions League.

The accounts revealed that Roma have also bought outright Czech Patrik Schick and Frenchman Gregoire Defrel, two forwards who arrived on loan deals last summer.

The loss of €40.3 million for the period up until December 31, 2017, is an improvement on the €53.4-million loss for the same period last season.

Operating revenues increased by €35 million to €123.9 million, with €47.8 million coming from participation in the Champions League, compared to €23.7 million for taking part in the Europa League last year.

Roma are through to the last 16 of Europe's premier club competition, where they play their second-leg tie against Shakhtar Donetsk in Rome on March 13 having lost the first leg 2-1.