Sporting says defender Valdes heading to Roma

By foxsports
Published

Sporting Gijon says it has reached a deal with Roma to send Spanish defender Jose Angel Valdes to the Italian club.

The Spanish club announced Tuesday that Valdes would be joining new coach Luis Enrique, a fellow Gijon native, at Roma next season.

The 21-year-old Valdes played for Sporting in Spain's first division during the past two seasons.

Spanish media reports said Roma paid ?4.5 million ($6.4 million) for the young left back, who had also drawn interest from Spanish champion Barcelona.